How to Jump Start a Car
Dead battery? Get back on the road
Marcus Chen Updated 2025-10-30 10 min 6 stepsLearn the safe and correct way to jump start a vehicle with a dead battery using jumper cables and another car.
10 min
Time Required
Free
Estimated Cost
6
Steps
high
Safety
What You'll Need
Tools
Step 1 of 6
Position the Vehicles
Park the working vehicle close enough for cables to reach both batteries, but do not let the vehicles touch. Both cars should be in Park with engines off.
Step 2 of 6
Connect RED to DEAD (+)
Attach one RED (positive) clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
Warning
Never let the clamps touch each other while connected to a battery.
Step 3 of 6
Connect RED to GOOD (+)
Attach the other RED clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Step 4 of 6
Connect BLACK to GOOD (-)
Attach one BLACK (negative) clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.
Step 5 of 6
Connect BLACK to METAL
Attach the other BLACK clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block or frame — NOT the dead battery. This prevents sparks near battery gases.
Warning
NEVER connect the last clamp to the dead battery's negative terminal. Hydrogen gas can cause an explosion.
Common Mistake
Connecting to the dead battery instead of a ground point — this is a serious safety hazard.
Step 6 of 6
Start the Vehicles
Start the working vehicle and let it run for 2-3 minutes. Then try starting the dead vehicle. If it starts, let both run for 5 minutes. Remove cables in reverse order: BLACK from metal, BLACK from good, RED from good, RED from dead.
Pro Tip
Drive the jumped car for at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery, or it may die again.
Interactive Troubleshooter
Does the engine crank (make a repeated turning sound) when you turn the key?
