Red to the dead battery's positive, red to the good battery's positive, black to the good battery's negative, and black to bare metal on the dead car away from the battery. Start the good car, then the dead one. Remove cables in reverse order. Always follow your owner's manual.
Jump-starting is simple, but connecting the cables in the wrong order can cause sparks or damage electronics. Check your owner’s manual first: some cars have specific jump points under the hood.
What do I need?
Jumper cables in good condition and a working car with a similar battery voltage (almost all cars use 12 volts), or a charged portable jump starter.
In what order do I connect the cables?
- Red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
- Other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
- Black clamp to the negative (−) terminal of the good battery.
- Last black clamp to a bare, unpainted metal part of the dead car’s engine or frame, away from the battery. This reduces the risk of a spark near the battery.
Then what?
- Start the good car and let it run a few minutes.
- Try to start the dead car.
- Once it starts, remove the cables in reverse order: black from the metal, black from the good battery, red from the good battery, red from the formerly dead battery.
- Drive for a while to recharge.
When should I stop?
- The battery is cracked, leaking or swollen. Don’t jump it.
- You smell rotten eggs near the battery.
- The car doesn’t start after a few tries. The problem may be the starter, alternator or fuel.
Not comfortable doing it yourself? Dala Multiservices gives jump starts across Tampa and nearby cities, 24/7: (813) 293-3415.