- Position the Vehicles: Park the working car close to the dead car without touching. Turn off both vehicles and set the parking brakes.
Identify Battery Terminals: Open both hoods and locate the batteries. Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.
- Connect the Jumper Cables:
- Attach one red clamp to the dead battery’s positive (+) terminal.
- Attach the other red clamp to the working battery’s positive (+) terminal.
- Attach one black clamp to the working battery’s negative (-) terminal.
- Attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car (not the battery).
- Start the Working Car: Let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
- Start the Dead Car: Try turning it on. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
- Remove the Cables in Reverse Order.
- Black clamp from the metal surface.
- Black clamp from the working battery.
- Red clamp from the working battery.Red clamp from the dead battery.
- Keep the Jumped Car Running: Let it run for at least 15-30 minutes or drive it to allow the battery to recharge.
If the car doesn’t start: The battery may be completely dead, or there could be an issue with the alternator. Try again or seek assistance.
Safety tip: Never touch the clamps together or connect them in the wrong order to avoid sparks or damage.
Using a portable jump starter: If no other car is available, portable jump starters work similarly but don’t require another vehicle.
