---
title: "Jump start — Services TowingDad"
canonical: https://towingdad.shop/services/jump-start/
lang: en
---

# Jump start
A jump start uses an external power source to start an engine whose battery is too discharged to crank it.

## What to expect and how it is billed
It is the fastest and cheapest roadside call, usually a flat fee. If the vehicle dies again shortly afterwards the battery or charging system is the fault and a jump is only buying you distance — ask the operator what the voltage read.

## How to avoid being overcharged
Get the numbers before the unit is dispatched: base fee, per-mile charge where it applies, and any surcharge for hours or difficulty. Ask for an itemised receipt. If the tow was non-consensual — police-ordered or from private property — your state or city may publish a cap, and the operator should be able to tell you which schedule it is billing under.

[Your rights](/rights/) · [Costs](/costs/) · [Calculators](/calculators/)

Always follow your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Improper towing can cause severe drivetrain damage that is not covered by warranty.

Sources (1)- Towing and Recovery Association of America — [Training and certification levels](https://www.traaonline.com/) (accessed 2026-08-17) T2