Jump starts
Jump Start Service for a Dead Battery, Day or Night
Car won't start? If it clicks, or the dash lights look weak, a jump may get you going. Call, and we'll send a local partner with a jump pack.
Is it the battery?
Signs a Jump Will Help
A dead battery has a few tells. If you see one of these, a jump is a good bet:
- You hear fast clicking when you turn the key or push start.
- The dash lights come on weak, flicker or fade out.
- Nothing happens at all. No sound, no lights.
- You left the lights or a door open overnight.
- It's the first very cold morning of the year. Cold saps weak batteries.
Signs It's Something Else
- The engine cranks at normal speed but won't catch. That points to fuel or spark, not the battery.
- It starts after a jump, then dies again soon. The alternator may not be charging.
- The battery is cracked, leaking or swollen. Don't jump it. Ask for a tow.
Don't jump it in traffic
A jump means an open hood and cables right next to the road. On a busy shoulder, keep your hood closed, stay clear of traffic and let the partner do it.
If you're stuck in a live lane, call 911 first.
Newer cars
Hybrids, EVs and Push-Button Cars
Many hybrids and electric cars still have a small 12-volt battery. It runs the locks, the screens and the computer that turns the car on. When it dies, the car acts dead, even with a full main battery.
Jump points and rules vary by make. Some cars hide the jump posts under the hood, away from the battery. Tell us your year, make and model on the call so your driver comes ready.
If an electric car's main battery is empty, a jump won't fix that. It needs a tow to a charger. For gas cars that simply ran dry, see fuel delivery.
After the Jump
- Keep it running. Drive a good while, not just around the block, so the alternator can put charge back.
- Get it tested. Have a shop check the battery and the charging system soon. A battery that died once often dies again.
- Need a shop? Ask us. Pointing you to a good repair shop is part of our promise.
The Stay-With-You Promise
A Jump Gets the Same Care as a Tow
Small job, same promises. You'll know who's coming, you'll get check-ins while you wait, and your price is locked by text.
We stay with you. From your call until the truck arrives, we check on you by text.
See your driver before they arrive. You get their name, photo and truck by text, and you can track your truck on a map.
Your family knows too. Give us one number, and we text them your location and arrival time.
Photo-protected tow. Before hookup, your driver photographs all 4 sides of your vehicle. We text you the photos.
Price locked by text. You get your price by text before we dispatch. That price is the most you pay for the job. If the job changes, we text a new price first and you decide.
Never stranded after. Ride along in the truck when it's safe and allowed, or we help you get a ride. We also point you to a good repair shop.
Free Sentinel Circle. After your first job, your vehicle is on file. Next time, just text "TOW" for priority dispatch.
Questions
Jump Start Questions
How much is a jump start?
It depends on where you are and what your car needs. On the call, we text your price before anyone is sent. If the bill is higher, you pay the texted price.
What if my car still won't start?
Then the battery likely isn't the only problem. We'll text you a new price for a tow. You decide yes or no. Nothing extra happens without your OK.
Can you jump a car in a parking garage?
Often, yes. Jump packs are small, so the truck doesn't need to reach your car. Tell us the level you're on and any height limit at the entrance.
Can I just ask a stranger for a jump?
You can, if you're somewhere safe and you know how. Hook the cables up wrong and you can damage both cars' electronics. On a highway shoulder at night, it's safer to wait in your car for a pro.
Dead battery?
Get a Jump, Not a Guessing Game
Call now. Your price comes by text, and you'll see your driver before they arrive.