How to Jumpstart a Car Battery with Jumper Cables
Most of us have been or will be in a situation that requires using jumper cables some time within our lives. The situation is unfortunate, but almost unavoidable. Sometimes we forget to turn off our headlights; sometimes our car batteries just wear out. Whatever the reason, knowing how to properly jump start a car is an important skill. Despite what many believe, there is only one proper and safe way to jump start a car.
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Instructions
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Park the vehicle you will be using to supply power near the vehicle that has the dead battery. Note the battery location in each vehicle and try to get them as close as possible.
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Put on gloves and wear eye protection before beginning. Turn the ignition key to the "Off" position in both vehicles. Make sure you turn off the headlights and any interior lights.
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Attach the positive clamp (red) to the positive battery terminal (red) in the vehicle that has the dead battery. Connect the positive clamp on the opposite side of the jumper cable to the other vehicle.
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Connect the negative clamp (black) to the negative (black) terminal of the battery you are using to supply power.
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Connect the negative clamp (black) to a proper ground in the vehicle with the dead battery. Look for an unpainted metal post or bolt.
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Start the engine in the vehicle you are using to supply power and let it run for a few minutes. Then start the engine in the vehicle that has the dead battery.
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Let both vehicles run for a few minutes, and then disconnect both negative (black) clamps. Once the negative clamps are disconnected, remove the positive clamps (red).
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Tips & Warnings
You can use the negative battery terminal as a ground in the vehicle with the dead battery. The recommended method is using a sufficient ground; connecting to the negative battery terminal increases the risk of explosion or damage.
If the car with the dead battery does not start right away, let the vehicle that is supplying power run a little bit longer. Severely drained batteries will take longer to charge.
Some batteries are too far drained to be jump started. If your battery will not hold a charge long enough to crank, it will have to be replaced.
Do not accidentally crisscross the cables. Connecting the wrong cable to the wrong battery terminal could cause an explosion; at the very least, it could destroy your alternator.
