How to Jump-Start a Car Safely

A dead battery doesn't have to ruin your day. With a set of jumper cables and another vehicle (or a jump pack), you can be back on the road in minutes — as long as you connect the cables in the right order.

Connecting cables in the wrong order can cause sparks near the battery. Follow the sequence below carefully.

What you'll need

• Jumper cables or a portable jump pack
• A second running vehicle (if using cables)
• Gloves and eye protection

Steps

1. Position the vehicles

   Park the good vehicle close to the dead one without the cars touching. Put both in park/neutral with the ignitions off and parking brakes set.

2. Connect positive to the dead battery

   Clamp one red (+) clip to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

3. Connect positive to the good battery

   Clamp the other red (+) clip to the positive terminal of the good battery.

4. Connect negative to the good battery

   Clamp one black (-) clip to the negative terminal of the good battery.

5. Ground the last clip

   Clamp the final black (-) clip to a bare, unpainted metal bolt or bracket on the dead car's engine — NOT the dead battery. This keeps any spark away from battery gases.

6. Start and run

   Start the good vehicle and let it run a few minutes, then start the dead vehicle. Once it starts, let it run.

7. Remove cables in reverse order

   Remove the clips in the exact reverse order you attached them, keeping clips from touching each other or metal.

8. Keep it running

   Drive or idle the revived car for at least 20–30 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery.

Frequently asked questions

What if the car still won't start?

Check that the clamps have a solid connection and try again after a few minutes. If it still won't crank, the battery may be fully dead or the issue may be the starter or alternator.

Is it safe to jump a modern car?

Yes, when done in the correct order. Grounding the final clip to bare metal (not the dead battery) is the key safety step.