Is A Jumpstart Service Cheaper Than Jumping Yourself?
Posted on: 9 September 2022
You've probably heard that you should always carry a pair of jumper cables in your car. This simple tool is relatively inexpensive and, at first, seems like a cheap way to get yourself out of a jam. After all, all you'll need to get back on the road is to call a friend or ask for help from a good samaritan! Unfortunately, jumping your car can have some unintended and potentially costly consequences.
Jumpstarting Explained
A typical do-it-yourself jumpstart seems fairly straightforward. You first connect the positive terminals, then the negative ones, and finally, turn on the donor car and hope for the best. Most people think this process charges the dead battery, but this isn't quite right. Instead, you're connecting the booster battery to the car's charging system to provide electricity to the starter motor.
Since the starter motor is what allows your car's engine to turn over, that's where you need to deliver power. Once the engine is running, the alternator on the receiving end can take over and begin to recharge the dead battery. In theory, this process solves the immediate problem (you can't start your car) while also addressing the underlying issue (your battery has no charge).
Unfortunately, real life rarely works out as well as theory.
The Problem With Do-It-Yourself Jumpstarts
The truth is that car batteries rarely run out of charge on their own. A dead battery is usually a symptom of an underlying issue with the charging system or a battery already on its last legs. Attempting to jumpstart a battery in this condition can cause more damage, and your car may only run for a short time before failing again.
More importantly, modern vehicles have so many electronic systems that unexpected power surges can cause significant damage. These electronic systems control more than just fancy radios and infotainment systems, however. Your car contains numerous computers (called ECUs) that keep it running properly, and an incorrectly performed jumpstart can damage any of these components.
Why Professional Services Are Better
A professional jumpstart service won't just show up with a pair of jumper cables. Professionals use more advanced equipment to test and charge your battery, providing a slower trickle of power that won't risk damaging expensive components. This equipment protects your car against unexpected surges so that your dead battery doesn't become a much more expensive repair bill.
Additionally, having an expert test your battery while they provide you with a jump is critical so that you understand if you'll need a replacement. In these cases, a call to a jumpstart service will get you home so you can purchase a battery replacement and avoid getting stuck again in the near future, ultimately saving you time and money.
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