How to Jump-Start a Car With Battery Cables
There's never a good time for a car's battery to die. But if you keep a level head, you can jump-start the battery, and be on your way in no time. Follow these instructions carefully, as improper use of battery cables can be dangerous.
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Instructions
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1
Find a partner car with a strong battery. Make sure they're arranged so the front ends of both cars are either facing each other, or right next to each other.
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2
Open the hoods of both cars, and prop them up with their support arms.
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3
Locate the batteries on each vehicle, and identify the positive and negative battery terminals on both. These terminals should be clearly marked either with the words "Positive" and "Negative" or with plus and minus symbols. Some batteries have rubber or plastic covers on the terminals, which will have to be removed.
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4
Make sure the ignition on both cars are turned off.
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5
Clip one of the red battery cable clamps to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
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6
Clip the other red battery cable clamp to the positive terminal on the good battery.
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Clip the black battery cable clamp to the negative terminal on the good battery.
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8
Clip the remaining black battery cable clamp to any solid metal surface of the car. This can be the engine block, or even the edge of the car's frame by the hood opening. Do not attach it to any part of the battery.
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9
Start the engine on the car with the good battery.
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10
Start the engine on the car with the dead battery. If everything is connected properly, it should fire right up.
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11
Disconnect the grounded black battery cable from the jump-started car, followed by the other black battery cable, then the red battery cable from the jumper car, and finally the secon red battery cable.
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12
Replace battery terminal covers, and close both hoods.
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Tips & Warnings
The alternator continuously charges the battery. If the car cannot be jump-started, the alternator may have to be repaired or replaced. When you ground the final negative battery cable, you may see a small spark or two. This is not dangerous. While connecting and disconnecting the clamps, take care to not touch the metal contacts on the clamps. It is also important to keep the contacts on the clamps from touching each other.
