How to Jump-Start a Car with a Dead Battery

Step 1 of 7

Position the Vehicles and Inspect the Batteries

Park the donor (working) vehicle nose-to-nose with the dead vehicle, or side by side if that's not possible — close enough that the jumper cables can reach both batteries comfortably. Turn off both vehicles and engage the parking brakes on each. Open both hoods and locate the batteries. Inspect them visually: look for cracks, corrosion (white or bluish powder around terminals), leaks, or a swollen/bulging case. If you see any of these signs on either battery, do NOT proceed — a damaged battery can explode when jump-started.

Step 2 of 7

Identify the Battery Terminals

On each battery, identify the two terminals: • **Positive (+)** — usually marked with a '+' sign, often has a red cover or red cable attached. • **Negative (−)** — usually marked with a '−' sign, often has a black cover or black cable attached. Also identify an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block or chassis — you'll use this as a grounding point in the next step. This is safer than clamping directly to the negative battery terminal on the dead car.

Step 3 of 7

Connect the Jumper Cables in the Correct Order

Connect the four clamps in this exact order to minimize the risk of sparks near the battery: 1. 🔴 **Red clamp → Positive (+) terminal of the DEAD battery.** 2. 🔴 **Red clamp (other end) → Positive (+) terminal of the GOOD battery.** 3. ⚫ **Black clamp → Negative (−) terminal of the GOOD battery.** 4. ⚫ **Black clamp (other end) → Unpainted metal on the DEAD car's engine block or chassis** (NOT the dead battery's negative terminal). Double-check that the clamps are firmly attached and that no cables are near moving parts like fans or belts.

• If If you cannot find an unpainted metal surface on the engine block, do Use the negative terminal of the dead battery as a last resort, but move quickly and keep your face away from the battery..

Step 4 of 7

Start the Donor Vehicle and Let It Charge

Start the donor (working) vehicle and let it run for 2–3 minutes. This allows the alternator to push charge into the dead battery through the cables. For severely depleted batteries, you may need to wait 5 minutes or more. You can rev the donor engine slightly (to ~2,000 RPM) to increase the charging current — but this is optional.

Step 5 of 7

Start the Dead Vehicle

After 2–3 minutes of charging, attempt to start the previously dead vehicle. Turn the key or press the start button and hold for up to 5 seconds. • **If it starts:** Great! Move on to the next step. • **If it doesn't start:** Wait another 2–3 minutes and try again. If it still won't start after 3–4 attempts, the battery may be too far gone, or there may be another underlying issue (bad alternator, faulty starter, etc.).

• If If the car still won't start after 3–4 attempts, do Stop trying and call a roadside assistance service or mechanic — the issue may be beyond a dead battery..
• If If the car starts successfully, do Proceed to disconnect the cables in the correct order (next step)..

Step 6 of 7

Disconnect the Cables in Reverse Order

Once the dead car is running, disconnect the jumper cables in the **reverse** of the order you connected them: 1. ⚫ **Black clamp from the engine block/chassis of the previously dead car.** 2. ⚫ **Black clamp from the negative (−) terminal of the donor battery.** 3. 🔴 **Red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the donor battery.** 4. 🔴 **Red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the previously dead battery.** Be careful not to let any clamps touch each other or any metal surfaces while other clamps are still connected.

Step 7 of 7

Drive to Recharge the Battery and Assess Its Health

Drive the revived car for at least 20–30 minutes at highway speeds (if possible) to allow the alternator to fully recharge the battery. Avoid short trips immediately after a jump-start. Afterward, consider having the battery tested at an auto parts store (many do this for free). If the battery is more than 3–5 years old or fails the test, it's time to replace it to avoid being stranded again.

• If If the battery dies again shortly after the jump-start, do The battery likely needs replacement or the alternator may be faulty — visit a mechanic or auto parts store for testing..