A jump start uses power from a second battery to get your engine turning. It gets the car started, and that is all it does. It does not repair whatever let the battery run down in the first place.
What is a jump start, and what does it not do?
A jump start borrows power from another car or a portable booster so your engine can turn over. Once the engine is running, the alternator usually takes over and starts recharging the battery.
A jump start is not a repair and it is not a battery test. A battery that is completely drained is not necessarily a bad battery. Lights left on, a charging problem or an electrical fault can drain a good one. That is why, when we come out, we check the battery’s age and condition, try a jump and watch how the car responds.
Car battery dead in Mountain View? How do I know it needs a jump?
The car usually tells you.
- You turn the key or press the button and hear repeated clicking, or nothing at all.
- The engine turns over slowly, as if it is struggling.
- The dashboard lights are dim or flicker, or the headlights look weak.
A jump start usually helps only when the battery is the problem. If the engine cranks strongly but does not fire, the trouble is often somewhere else, such as fuel or ignition, and a jump will not change that. If you are not sure which one you have, call us and describe what you hear and see.
Why can jumping a car yourself with cables go wrong?
Cables look simple, but a few things can turn a routine jump into a bigger problem.
- The clamp order matters. The usual sequence is positive to positive, then the helping battery’s negative, then the last clamp to bare metal on the dead car, away from its battery. Mixing up clamps or letting them touch can cause sparks, and batteries can give off flammable gas.
- A damaged battery is a reason to stop. If the case is cracked, bulging or leaking, or there is a strong rotten-egg smell, leave the cables alone and call for help.
- Modern cars have sensitive electronics. A wrong connection or a voltage surge can damage computers and other modules.
- The battery may not be where you expect it. Many newer cars put it in the trunk or under a seat and use a separate jump terminal under the hood, and the owner’s manual usually shows where.
- Hybrids and EVs have a small 12-volt battery too, and the correct jump procedure is often different from a regular car’s.
If you would rather not risk it, read your owner’s manual first, or call us and we will handle the jump.
What can I do while I wait for help?
- Turn off the headlights, radio and climate controls, and unplug anything charging, so the battery has less to power.
- Note what happened, such as lights left on, clicking or a warning light, because a short description of the problem helps us.
- If you are on a road, get everyone to a safe spot first, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
If you are on a freeway during peak travel hours, the Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol may be able to help for free. It covers freeways only, and it can jump a battery, change a flat or supply some fuel. Call 511 and say “Freeway Assist”.
Is there a jump start service near me in Mountain View?
Yes, Axl Roadside is a mobile jump start service. We come to your vehicle at home, at work, in a parking lot or on the roadside. We are open 7am to 8pm, 7 days a week, in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Redwood City, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley.
Which vehicles do you jump-start?
We provide jump starts and battery service for cars, SUVs, EVs, commercial vehicles such as delivery vans and box trucks, and semi-trucks. Battery replacement is also available for motorhomes.
We test the battery and its connections and tell you what we find before any work starts. If the battery has failed, we can replace it where the vehicle is parked. The service call covers the visit and diagnosis, a replacement battery costs extra, and we tell you before replacing anything. We do not tow, and if a car truly needs a tow, we tell you. Here is how to tell whether your car needs a tow.
What should I have ready when I call?
To dispatch, we need four things:
- Your name
- Your location
- The vehicle’s year, make and model
- A short description of the problem
We do not publish prices. When you call, we tell you the cost for your situation.
Car battery dead in Mountain View or a nearby city? Call or text (415) 712-4161, 7am to 8pm daily.
