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How can I charge a Honda Civic battery?

My car has been having some issues turning over. I heard that charging the battery can help. I’ve never charged a car battery before though, so I have no idea what to use or how to do it. What’s the best way to charge the battery in my Honda Civic?

avatar
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If your battery is having issues, charging it will improve its performance for the time being, but if the issues persist, it may be time to replace the battery altogether.
Generally, there are two ways to charge a Honda Civic battery:
  1. Jumpstart
    your car.
  2. Use a portable charger.
The jumpstart method is most suitable if you are having trouble getting your car to start, as it will give a burst of power to your battery and should allow the engine to turn over.
To jumpstart your vehicle, you will need jumper cables and another working vehicle. Here’s what to do:
  • With both cars turned off, use the cables to connect the batteries of the two vehicles. Then, start the engine of the running car.
  • Wait several minutes, then try to start the dead car.
  • Once it starts, be sure to drive around for at least 20 minutes so the weak battery can fully recharge.
If you use the portable charger, it will take much longer to charge a weak battery. However, this is a suitable method if you do not have access to another vehicle. Here’s what to do:
  • Connect the portable charger to your Honda Civic the same way you would with the jumper cables.
  • You can charge the battery at 2 amps or 10 amps. The lower the amperage, the longer your battery will take to charge. However, the lower-amperage charge is better for your battery health.
Hopefully, charging your battery will solve your car troubles. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need to replace the battery. If that still doesn’t help, you’ll want to consult a mechanic ASAP.
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