Jump start in Dublin: we come to the car

What we do
We bring the power to the car and get it started where it stands.
For
Cars that click, turn slowly or do nothing
Price
One call-out price, no distance charge
Red and black jump lead clamps on a car battery during a jump start in Dublin

When your car won’t start, and it clicks, turns over slowly or does nothing at all, a flat battery is the usual suspect. Most of the time it does not need a tow, a garage or a new part. It needs enough power, for a few seconds, to turn the engine. We bring that power to wherever the car is parked.

When a jump start is the right call

  • The car clicks quickly when you turn the key
  • The engine turns over slowly, then gives up
  • Nothing happens, and the dashboard is dim or dark
  • The lights were left on, or the car has not moved for a while
A portable jump starter with red and black clamps on a car batteryA dashboard lit up after the car started
The jump pack goes on, the car starts, and we tell you what we found.

When it is not

If the engine turns at its normal speed but will not catch, the battery is probably fine and the fault is elsewhere, often fuel or ignition. Tell us that on the phone. We will say honestly that a jump start is unlikely to help before you pay for a call-out.

What happens when we arrive

We look at the battery and its connections first, because a loose or corroded clamp can look exactly like a flat battery. Then we connect, start the car and let it run. Before we leave we tell you what we found: a one-off flat battery, or a battery that is near the end.

The order matters

If you have ever wondered why people are careful with jump leads, it is because the order of the clamps matters. This is the sequence for ordinary leads on a petrol or diesel car:

  1. 1Red to + on the flat battery
  2. 2Red to + on the good battery
  3. 3Black to − on the good battery
  4. 4Black to bare metal on the flat car, away from the battery

Take them off in the reverse order, and never let the clamps touch.

Many hybrids and electric cars are different. Read jump starting an electric or hybrid car before you connect anything to one, and our guide on how to jump start a car safely for the full reasoning behind the order.

After the jump

Drive for around half an hour at a steady speed if you can. Short hops around the corner will not put much back.

If the car needs another jump within a few days, the battery is telling you something. See when a jump start is not enough.

Questions about this

How long does it take once you arrive?

A straightforward jump is usually quick. Checking the connections and letting the car run adds a few minutes, and we would rather take them.

Can you jump start an automatic?

Yes. Automatic or manual makes no difference to a jump start.

Should I leave the engine running after?

Drive it if you can. Idling on the driveway puts back far less than a steady half-hour drive.