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How to Jump Start a Car A Step-by-Step Guide
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01 Why This Matters
A dead battery is one of the most common car troubles. The good news? It's one of the easiest to fix yourself — as long as you know the right order of steps.
Doing it wrong won't usually damage anything — but doing it right is faster and safer.
What You'll Need
1
2
3
Jumper Cables
A Second Vehicle
Both Cars Off
Or a portable jump starter pack
A working car, parked close enough to reach
Engines off before you connect anything
Getting Started 1
Position the Vehicles Park the working car close to the dead one — hood to hood or side by side — close enough for the cables to comfortably reach both batteries. Turn both engines off.
2
Locate the Batteries Find the battery in each car. If it isn't easily accessible, check your owner's manual — some vehicles have remote jump-start terminals under the hood.
Connect the Cables — Exact Order
3
1
RED
Dead battery — positive (+) terminal
2
RED
Working battery — positive (+) terminal
3
BLACK
Working battery — negative (−) terminal
4
BLACK
Unpainted metal on the dead car's engine block
Note: NOT the dead battery's negative terminal — this reduces spark risk near the battery.
Powering Up 4
Start the Working Car Let it run for 2–3 minutes. This allows some charge to transfer to the dead battery.
5
Try Starting the Dead Car If it starts, let it run for at least 10–15 minutes (or drive it around) to let the alternator recharge the battery.
6
Remove the Cables — Reverse Order
1
Black (engine block)
2
→
Black (working battery)
3
→
Red (working battery)
4
→
Red (dead battery)
If the Car Doesn't Start
!
If there's no response at all, the issue might not be the battery — it could be the starter or alternator.
Get the battery tested rather than continuing to try.
Prevent It Next Time
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Know the Lifespan
Watch the Cold
Keep Cables Handy
Batteries typically last 3–5 years — get tested if yours is older.
Cold weather is hard on batteries — check health going into winter.
Store a set in your trunk — inexpensive, and saves a lot of hassle.
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