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How to Jump-Start a Car: Step-by-Step

Jump-starting a car is simple once you know the order to connect the cables β€” and that order is the part that matters most for safety.

  1. Park the working car close by, both engines off

    Position the two vehicles close enough for the jumper cables to reach without the cars touching. Put both in park (or neutral for a manual) with the parking brake on, and turn both engines off before connecting anything.

  2. Connect the red clamp to the dead battery's positive terminal

    Attach one red (positive) clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery, marked with a "+" and usually the larger of the two terminals.

  3. Connect the other red clamp to the good battery's positive terminal

    Attach the other end of the same red cable to the positive terminal of the working car's battery.

  4. Connect a black clamp to the good battery's negative terminal

    Attach one black (negative) clamp to the negative terminal of the working car's battery.

  5. Connect the last black clamp to unpainted metal on the dead car β€” not the battery

    Attach the final black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block, rather than to the dead battery's own negative terminal. This keeps any small spark from that final connection away from the battery, reducing the risk of igniting battery gases.

  6. Start the working car, then the dead one, and remove cables in reverse

    Start the working car and let it run for a couple of minutes, then try starting the dead car. Once it is running, remove the cables in the exact reverse order you connected them.

Why the last connection point matters

Car batteries can vent small amounts of hydrogen gas, and a spark right at the battery terminal β€” however unlikely β€” is the scenario the "connect to bare metal, not the battery" step is designed to avoid. It is the one step in the process most worth doing carefully.

A jump-start is often a temporary fix

Starting the car does not mean the battery is fully recharged β€” driving for a while afterward helps rebuild its charge. If the battery dies again soon after, that usually points to a deeper issue, such as an aging battery or a charging system problem, worth having checked by a mechanic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should the cables actually go in?

Positive to the dead battery first, then positive to the good battery, then negative to the good battery, and finally negative to a bare metal point on the dead car's engine β€” not its battery. Remove them in the reverse order once the car starts.

Can I use a hybrid or electric car to jump-start another vehicle?

Many hybrid and electric vehicle manufacturers advise against using their car as the power source for a jump-start, since their electrical systems are built differently from a conventional car's. Check the owner's manual before assuming it is safe.

What if the car still will not start after jump-starting?

That can point to a problem beyond a simply drained battery, such as a failing alternator or a battery too old to hold a charge. If jump-starting does not work after a reasonable attempt, it is generally worth calling a mechanic or roadside assistance rather than repeating the process.