What Is a Battery Jump Start?
A jump start sends power from an outside battery or jump pack to your car's battery so the engine can crank. Once the engine runs, your alternator takes over and starts to recharge the battery.
We use a professional jump pack with surge protection. That is safer for modern car computers than hooking up to another car with old cables.
Signs You Need a Jump Start
- You turn the key or press start and hear clicking
- The engine cranks slowly or not at all
- Dash lights are dim or flicker
- You left the lights or a door open overnight
- The car sat unused for a week or more
- A battery warning light came on while driving
Battery Jump Start Options
If the jump does not work, the battery, alternator or starter may have failed. Then we can tow your car with Flatbed Towing. Stuck in a garage with a dead battery? See Parking Garage Towing. Electric cars need a different approach, covered on EV Towing. If you also locked your keys in, see Car Lockout. Out of gas instead? See Gas Delivery.
Why Batteries Die in North Texas
Heat is the biggest battery killer here. Summer temperatures over 100 degrees speed up the chemical wear inside a battery. Many batteries in Texas last only three to four years. A battery that was weak in August often fails on the first cold morning in winter.
Short trips, lots of plug-in devices and cars that sit in airport or apartment lots also drain batteries. We get many calls from office garages near our Dallas location and from apartment lots in Garland, Mesquite and Princeton.
What to Expect When We Arrive
- The driver checks the battery for leaks, swelling or damaged cables.
- We connect the jump pack and start the car.
- We check that the engine keeps running.
- If the car will not start or dies again, we talk about a tow.
After a jump, drive for at least 20 to 30 minutes. That gives the alternator time to put charge back in the battery. Have the battery tested soon. Many auto parts stores test them for free.
What to Do While You Wait
- Turn off lights, radio and other electronics.
- Pop the hood latch if you can find it.
- Do not keep cranking. It can overheat the starter.
- Tell dispatch if you smell rotten eggs or see the battery leaking.
Jump Start Cost
A jump start costs less than a tow. The price depends on your location and the time of day. Call dispatch for a quote. Many car insurance and warranty plans cover jump starts.
Who Calls for Jump Starts
Office workers in a garage after work. Travelers back from a trip. Students in apartment lots. Parents in school pickup lines. Rideshare drivers who idled with the AC running.
Why Drivers Choose Towvana for Jump Starts
We use pro jump packs that protect your car's electronics. Eight locations in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, Irving, Garland and Princeton put help closer. If a jump will not fix it, the same truck can tow you.