How to Jump Start a BMW

If you’re driving in Darlington or Sumter for any length of time, knowing how to jump start a car is an invaluable skill to have at the ready. But what happens if you need to jump start a BMW and you can’t find the battery? That’s understandable, because BMW batteries sit toward the rear of the vehicle instead of towards the front like many other brands. Knowing how to jump start a BMW is a must if you buy one, but don’t worry! If you know how to jump start a car, you’ll be able to jump start a BMW. Here are the finer points on how to jump start a BMW 328i or any other BMW model from the service center at BMW of Florence.

How do you jump start a car that doesn’t have a battery located in the front of the under-hood area? Just find the starter aid terminals, which are usually to the side of the engine. Once you find them, get your jumper cables and another running car with a driver who’s willing to help, then follow these steps:

Have the driver who’s assisting you pull their vehicle up to the face of the BMW with the dead battery. Do not let the vehicles touch, but they need to be close enough for the jumper cables to have some slack. Turn the assisting vehicle’s engine on, turn off or unplug all components in the BMW, then pop both vehicles’ hoods and attach the cables in this order:

1. Attach one of the red clamps to your own BMW vehicle’s positive (red) terminal.

2. Attach the other red clamp to the positive (red) terminal on the assisting vehicle

3. Attach the black clamp to the assisting vehicle’s negative (black) terminal.

4. Attach the other black clip to any unpainted metal surface on your vehicle.

Make sure the clamps don’t touch one another! This could generate sparks, which can be dangerous when you’re working under the hood.

It will take a few minutes for the BMW battery to receive the charge. Once you’ve given it some time, get in and start the engine. If it doesn’t start, give it a bit more time. When you’re able to start the BMW, carefully remove the jumper cables, making sure the clamps don’t touch. Keep the BMW running, and take it for a drive for around 30 minutes. This allows the alternator to fully charge the battery.

Marion drivers wondering how do they jump start a car with the battery in the back can get the job done with help from BMW of Florence! If you’ve had to jump start your battery a few times recently, it’s time to schedule an appointment for a battery check at BMW of Florence. Shop our service deals to save money on your appointment!