Jump Start a Dead Battery

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Park nose to nose

   Position both cars close enough for the cables to reach. Both engines OFF, keys out.

2. 2

   Red to dead positive

   Connect one red clamp to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the dead battery.

3. 3

   Red to donor positive

   Connect the other red clamp to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the donor battery.

4. 4

   Black to donor negative

   Connect one black clamp to the NEGATIVE (–) terminal of the donor battery.

5. 5

   Black to bare metal

   Connect the other black clamp to a bare metal bolt or bracket on the dead car's engine — NOT the battery. This prevents sparks near hydrogen gas.

6. 6

   Start donor, then dead

   Start the donor car and let it run 2 minutes. Then try to start the dead car.

7. 7

   Remove in reverse

   Once started, remove the cables in the reverse order: black off dead, black off donor, red off donor, red off dead.

8. 8

   Drive to recharge

   Drive the revived car for at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery. If it dies again, the battery or alternator needs service.