Knowing how to jump-start your car battery using jumper cables is a valuable and basic car skill every driver needs. Learning how to properly jump-start a car battery can get you out of a jam, and enable you to help someone else in need.
With this guide, you’ll learn step by step how to jump-start a car with cables, what to do if jump-starting doesn’t work, and how to maintain your battery.
How to Jump-Start Your Car
Jumping a car can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. But learning how to jump-start your car safely is as simple as following these steps. You’ll just need a set of jumper cables and another driver’s vehicle.
1. Get a Set of Jumper Cables
Before you can jump-start your car, you need a pair of jumper cables. Purchase a good-quality set of cables to keep in your car. Consider creating a car emergency kit that includes jumper cables in case you or another driver is stranded on the roadside.
2. Prepare Both Vehicles
The second step in how to jump-start a car battery is to get both vehicles ready:
- Make sure the cars are close enough that your jumper cables can reach the battery terminals of both vehicles.
- Place both cars in park or neutral.
- Turn both vehicles off and make sure all electrical components are off, such as headlights, interior reading lights, or radios.
- Pop the hood of both cars and set the parking brakes for increased safety.
3. Locate the Positive Terminal of Your Battery
Look under the hood of your car for the battery. On top of the battery, you’ll find two metal posts called terminals — one positive (+) and one negative (-). These are where you’ll connect the jumper cables. Most car batteries have plastic coverings over the terminals for safety. Lift the cover with the plus (+) sign to access the positive terminal on your dead battery.
Before continuing, check the battery for damage. If the battery is cracked, leaking, or smells of sulfur, do not try to jump the car. A cracked battery can explode when power is sent to it. If everything looks okay, attach one of the red clips from the jumper cables to the metal part of the positive terminal on the dead battery.
4. Attach the Cables to the Positive Terminal on the Working Vehicle
Once you’ve connected a red clip to your dead battery, locate the positive terminal on the good battery in the other vehicle. Attach the other red jumper cable clip to this positive terminal.
5. Find the Negative Terminal of the Working Vehicle
After attaching both red clips to the positive terminals, locate the negative terminal on the battery of the working vehicle. Attach a black clip to the negative terminal on the working battery.
Do not attach the remaining clip to the negative terminal on your dead battery. This can cause sparking near the battery, which could ignite flammable gas and cause an explosion.
6. Attach the Final Black Clip to Unpainted Metal on the Dead Car
When learning how to properly jump-start a car, this step is crucial. The last black clip should go on an unpainted, shiny metal part of your car’s engine — never the other negative terminal, even though it seems logical. Connecting to the dead battery’s negative terminal is a safety hazard and can damage the battery. A clean bolt or metal surface on your engine block is the best place to connect the final clip.
Do not attach the final black clip to the car’s body parts like the fender, hood latch, or grill. These areas may not conduct electricity properly and could damage your vehicle’s electrical system.
If you cannot find a clean metal part on the engine block, it’s safer to call for roadside assistance than to risk a bad connection.
7. Start the Working Vehicle
Let the working vehicle run for a few minutes. It is sending electricity to the dead battery to help your car gain a charge. There’s no need to press the gas pedal — just let the engine run.
8. Try to Start Your Car
After several minutes, turn on your car and see if it begins to run. If the engine doesn’t turn over, turn off both vehicles and check that your cables are properly attached to the terminals. If your car starts, leave it running for several minutes to ensure the battery has enough charge before you drive away. If you shut the car off too soon, you’ll need another jump to get it started again.
9. Disconnect the Jumper Cables
The final step in how to jump-start a car is disconnecting the jumper cables. It’s critical to do this step correctly to prevent injury or damage to either vehicle.
You should let your car run to continue charging while removing the cables in the reverse order of how you attached them. Start with the negative, or black, clip that’s attached to the metal part of your engine block. Then, remove the other black clip from the negative terminal of the good battery. You can then disconnect the red or positive clip from the good battery. Finally, detach the red clip from your previously dead battery.
Always use caution when disconnecting the cables. They can become hot when jump-starting a vehicle, and they may spark if the clips touch one another.
After the cables are disconnected, drive your car around for about 15-20 minutes. This allows your alternator to continue charging the battery.
Preventing Battery Problems: Tips for Car Battery Maintenance
Knowing how to jump-start a car is always useful, but with good battery maintenance, you can help others because your battery won’t die. These tips can keep your battery in peak condition:
- Drive regularly to keep the battery charged, especially in cold weather.
- Use a battery tender to keep the battery charged if the car is driven infrequently.
- Turn off headlights and interior lights when the engine is off.
- Clean battery terminals periodically to prevent corrosion.
- Check battery cables for wear or loose connections.
- Have the battery tested every six to 12 months, especially before winter. Many service stations and auto parts stores offer free battery checks.
Keeping up with simple car battery care means fewer surprises — and less time fumbling with jumper cables on the side of the road.
What to Do If Jump-Starting Doesn’t Work
Now that you know how to jump-start a car, you’re all set, right? Jump-starting the battery is a highly effective way to get the car running again. It almost always works. If you follow every step of how to properly jump-start a car and it still isn’t running, try:
- Double-checking the cable connections. Make sure they’re secure and connected in the proper order.
- Waiting a few more minutes while the working vehicle runs to allow a deeper charge before trying to start the car.
- Jumping again — sometimes, it takes two attempts.
If your car still doesn’t start, call roadside assistance for a ride. Rather than wonder why your car won’t start with a jump, it’s time to take it to a mechanic. The problem may be with the alternator, the electrical system, or a faulty starter motor.
Essential Safety Precautions When Jump-Starting a Car
When learning how to jump-start a car, safety is critical for both you and your vehicle. Before you reach for those jumper cables, first:
- Turn off both vehicles and set the parking brakes before connecting anything.
- Double-check the proper cable connection order — connecting them incorrectly can cause damage or injury.
- Never let the clamps touch once they are connected to a battery.
- Never jump a battery that is cracked, leaking, or smells like sulfur (like rotten eggs).
When learning how to properly jump-start your car, staying safe is as important as getting back on the road.
Wrapping Up: Keep Your Car’s Battery in Top Shape
Knowing how to jump-start a car is essential, but regular battery maintenance can help prevent emergencies. Stay prepared, stay safe, and don’t ignore early signs of battery trouble.
Now that you’ve mastered how to jump-start a car with cables, knowing you have someone to come and get you when the problems are bigger than a dead battery provides peace of mind.
Adding roadside assistance to your car insurance could help you if you find yourself stranded on an empty roadside. Along with jump-start services, roadside assistance can help you get back on the road with fuel delivery, towing services, and lockout services.
Why not call a friendly Wawanesa agent to discuss adding roadside assistance to your insurance coverage?
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