10 CAR MAINTENANCE MYTHS YOU SHOULD STOP BELIEVING

False: 9 — A jump-started car battery is immediately fully charged

Jump-starting a car gets the engine running—but it doesn’t fully charge the battery. If you turn the car off right after the jump, it may not have enough charge to start again.

After a jump-start, it’s best to drive for at least 30 minutes to give the alternator time to replenish the battery. If the battery keeps dying even after that, it might not be holding a charge anymore, and replacement could be necessary.