Knowing how to jumpstart a car is a valuable skill for all drivers. Here’s how to get your car running again:
- Grab a pair of jumper cables. Park both vehicles close together.
- Turn off both cars. Then, attach the red jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal. The other end of the red cable goes to the positive terminal of the working battery.
- Connect the black jumper cable to the negative terminal of the working battery. Attach the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block.
- Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the dead vehicle. Once it starts, let it run for a few more minutes. Then, disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order.
Note: Don’t let the ends of the jumper cables touch each other while they’re attached. And remember to keep a set of jumper cables in your car for emergencies.
What You Need to Know Before Jump-Starting a Car

Jumpstarting a car can be tricky yet fulfilling. It needs a few must-haves and knowledge of the steps. Being able to jump-start a car is a great way to help someone. Before we get into the details, let’s check out the items required.
Understand the causes of car battery failure.
Car battery failure can result from many things. Knowing them can help you dodge battery troubles and make your car battery last longer. Common causes of car battery failure include:
- Age: Car batteries usually last 3-5 years. Over time, the battery’s parts can wear out and not work.
- Extreme temperatures: Hot temps can cause the battery fluid to disappear. Cold temps can slow the chemical reactions for the battery to run.
- Corrosion: Corrosion can build up on battery terminals, stopping the electricity from flowing to the rest of the car.
- Leaving lights on Headlights or interior lights can quickly use the battery’s power.
- Lack of use: If the car is not used for long, the battery can lose its charge and be damaged.
Before jumpstarting a car, it is essential to figure out the cause of the battery failure to stop future problems.
Know the Risks associated with jump-starting a car
Jumpstarting your car may be a quick solution – but it also has risks. Here are some of them:
- Explosion: Hydrogen gas from the battery can explode if ignited.
- Electrical surge: Wrong order of cables or touching clamps together can cause an electrical surge, damaging the car’s electrical system or even starting a fire.
- Acid burns: Sulfuric acid in the battery can leak or splash, causing chemical burns or damaging car paint.
To avoid these risks, follow the proper steps, be careful, and wear protective clothing and eyewear.
Know the Steps Involved in Jump Starting a Car
Jumpstarting a car is an easy process that can save you from being stuck on the road. Here’s what you need to do:
- Find a car with a good battery – this will be your donor car.
- Put the cars close enough for the jumper cables to connect both batteries.
- Switch off both engines and turn on the parking brakes.
- Attach the positive (red) cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
- Connect the other end of the positive cable to the donor car’s positive terminal.
- Join the negative (black) cable to the donor car’s negative terminal.
- Attach the other end of the negative cable to a grounded metal part of the dead car.
- Start the donor car and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the dead car.
- After starting, keep both cars running for a few more minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Safety tip: Always take safety precautions, especially when working with car batteries. It’s also wise to keep jumper cables in your trunk.
Steps to Jump Start a Car

Jumpstarting a car is a breeze! You need a few items, such as jumper cables and another car with a charged battery. Follow these steps to jump-start your car quickly and safely:
- Connect one end of the red cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
- Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the other car’s battery.
- Connect one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the other car’s battery.
- Connect the other end of the black cable to an unpainted metal surface in the car’s engine bay with the dead battery.
- Start the car’s engine with the charged battery and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the car with the dead battery.
- Let the other car run for a few more minutes if it doesn’t start.
- Try again to start the car with the dead battery.
- Disconnect the cables in reverse order, and you’re done!
Park the vehicle with the good battery next to the dead battery.
Jumpstarting a car with a dead battery is a swift solution when you’re stuck. Follow these steps to jumpstart your car safely:
- Park the vehicle with the excellent battery near the one with the dead battery. Turn off both cars and ensure they are in “park” or “neutral” and the brake is on.
- Attach one end of the red (positive) cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal. Connect the other end to the good battery’s positive terminal.
- Attach one end of the black (negative) cable to the good battery’s negative terminal. Connect the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block.
- Start the car with a good battery and let it run for minutes.
- Attempt to start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn’t work, wait a few more minutes and try again.
- Once the dead car starts, remove the cables in reverse order, starting with the black one. Make sure the clamps don’t touch each other or any metal.
It’s essential to note that jumpstarting a car can be risky if not done correctly. Contact a professional towing service for help if you are unsure or uncomfortable.
Turn off both vehicles and everything that uses power in them
Remember to switch off vehicles & accessories using power before jumpstarting a car. Here’s a guide:
- Park the cars close.
- Clamp the red (positive) cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
- Clamp the red cable’s other end to the live battery’s positive terminal.
- Clamp the black (negative) cable to the live battery’s negative terminal.
- Clamp the other end of the black cable to an unpainted metal part of the dead car’s engine.
- Start the live battery’s car & let it run for 5 minutes.
- Try to start the dead car & wait if it doesn’t.
- Remove the jumper cables in reverse order.
Pro tip: Always keep jumper cables in your car for emergencies.
Connect the jumper cables to the dead battery.
Jumpstarting a dead car battery can be challenging. Especially if it’s your first time! Here’s how to do it safely:
- Put both cars facing each other. Leave space between them.
- Please turn off the ignition and put them in the park or neutral. Engage their handbrakes and remove the keys.
- Connect one end of the red cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal (+). Connect the other end to the positive terminal of the healthy battery.
- Connect one end of the black cable to the healthy battery’s negative terminal (-). Connect the other end to a metal part of the dead car (e.g., unpainted bolt or bracket).
- Start the engine of the healthy car and let it run for a few minutes. Then, try to start the engine of the dead car. If it starts, leave both vehicles running for 10-15 minutes before disconnecting the cables.
Follow these steps, and your car battery will be safely jumpstarted so you can get back on the road!
Connect the jumper cables to the functional battery
Jumpstarting a car can be easy if you have the right tools and know the steps. Here’s what to do:
- Park one car with a working battery close to the other with a dead battery; make sure they don’t touch.
- Turn off both cars and set the emergency brakes.
- Open the hoods and find the batteries. Check the look similar and have the same voltage.
- Connect the jumper cables in this order:
- Connect the red cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
- Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the working battery.
- Connect the black cable to the negative terminal on the working battery.
- Connect the other end of the black cable to an unpainted metal surface on the dead battery’s car, like a bolt or engine block.
- Start the working battery car and let it run for a few minutes. This will charge the dead battery.
- Try starting the car with the dead battery. If it works, keep both running for a few more minutes before disconnecting the cables. If not, replace the battery or get help from a pro.
Remove the cables in the reverse order of connection to avoid sparking.
Start your engine and let it run for a few minutes
If you have a dead car battery, jumpstarting is the way to go. Here’s how:
- Park a working car close to yours, but not touching it.
- Connect one end of the cables to the dead battery’s positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the other end of the cables to the positive (+) terminal of the fully charged battery.
- Connect one end of the cables to the negative (-) terminal of the fully charged battery.
- Connect the other end of the cables to the exposed metal on your car, not the dead battery.
- Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes before driving.
Remember to disconnect the cables in reverse order. And get your battery checked soon.
Unplug the jumper cables in the reverse order you connected them
Jumpstarting a car can be a lifesaver in emergencies. Following the proper steps is essential to avoid damaging the car’s battery or electrical system. Here’s how to do it safely with jumper cables:
- Park the working car next to the dead one, ensuring they don’t touch.
- Connect the red cable to the dead car’s positive (+) terminal and the other end to the working car’s positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the black cable to the working car’s negative (-) terminal. The other end should be on the dead car’s unpainted metal frame, away from the battery.
- Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the dead car. If it doesn’t work, wait a few more minutes and try again.
- Unplug the cables in reverse order.
By following these steps, you can safely jumpstart your car.
Pro Tip: If your car often needs jumpstarting, get the battery and charging system checked by a pro.
What to Do After Jump-Starting a Car
Jumpstarting a car can be tricky, yet possible with the right tools and knowledge. After jumpstarting, it’s essential to apply the correct safety measures to make sure the car will run and stay running safely. This article explains the steps to take after jumpstarting a car.
Drive your car around for at least 20 minutes
Jumpstart your car and follow these steps:
- Connect the positive (+) cable of the dead battery to the positive terminal of the working battery.
- Connect the negative (-) cable to a grounded metal surface on the dead car’s engine block.
- Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes.
- Start the dead car and let both cars run for a few minutes.
- Disconnect the cables in the reverse order that you connected them.
- Drive the revived car for at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery. This way, you’ll make sure the alternator provides enough charge to the battery and prevent future starting problems.
Pro-tip: If the battery fails to recharge after driving, you may have a malfunctioning alternator or a dead battery that needs to be replaced.
Check the battery periodically for signs of discharge or failure
Jumpstarting your car is a must! But don’t forget to check the battery. If you don’t, it can leave you stranded. Here’s what to do:
- Turn off the engine and let the battery rest for 10+ minutes.
- Look for signs of damage or failure, such as cracks or leaks.
- Check for corrosion and looseness on the battery terminals and cables. Clean and re-tighten if necessary.
- Use a voltmeter to measure voltage. 12.6 volts is fully charged. If lower, recharge the battery with a charger.
Checking the battery regularly can help you avoid being stranded. Pro-tip: Invest in a portable jump starter kit. Please keep it in your car for emergencies.
Get the battery serviced immediately if there are signs of charging failure.
If your car has been jumpstarted, watch for signs of charging failure. It’s essential to service the battery immediately to stop more damage to your vehicle’s electrical system.
Signs of charging failure are:
- a dashboard warning light
- dim or flickering headlights
- difficulty starting the engine
What to do after jumpstarting your car:
- Let the car run for a few minutes so the battery can recharge.
- If charging okay, take a short drive to let the alternator fully charge the battery.
- If you spot signs of charging failure, switch off any non-essential electrical features, like the air conditioning or radio. Then, go to a mechanic or auto parts store for battery service.
Remember, your car’s battery is essential for powering all its electrical components. So, tackling any issues promptly is vital to prevent damage or safety hazards.
Pro tip: Regularly maintaining the battery and electrical system can stop charging failure and increase the battery’s lifespan. Check the state of charge and clean the terminals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is jump-starting a car, and when must I do it?
Jump starting a car uses another battery to start a car with a dead battery. You may need to jump-start your car if your battery is old or if you accidentally left your lights on and drained the battery.
Can I jump-start my car with any other car?
Generally, you can use any car with a working battery to jump-start your car. However, it is recommended that you use a car with a similar or larger engine size than your car to ensure successful jump starting.
How do I jump-start my car?
Park the car with an excellent battery facing the car with a dead battery. Connect the red (positive) jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal, then connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the good battery. Next, connect the black (negative) jumper cable to the good battery’s negative terminal, then attach the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the dead battery, such as a bolt on the engine block. Once the cables are connected, start the car with a good battery and let it run for a few minutes before attempting to start the other car.
What if I accidentally misconnect the jumper cables?
Misconnecting the cables can be dangerous and cause severe damage to your car’s electrical system. Always double-check that you have connected the cables to the correct terminals. If you accidentally disconnect the cables, it may cause a spark that could damage your battery or even cause an explosion.
Can I jump-start my car without another car?
Yes, there are portable jump starter packs that you can purchase to jump-start your car without the need for another car. These packs are rechargeable and can be stored in your car in an emergency.
How long should I let my car run after it is jump-started?
Let your car run for at least 20 minutes after the jump-start to ensure the battery is fully charged. If you turn off your car too soon after jump starting, your battery may not have enough charge to start the car again.