How to Jump-Start a Car Safely

6 tips

• Park the working car close, nose to nose, and turn both cars off. Make sure the jumper cables are not tangled and the clamps are clean.
• Connect red to the dead car's positive terminal first, then red to the good car's positive terminal. Positive is marked with a plus sign and usually has a red cover.
• Connect black to the good car's negative terminal, then clamp the other black end to a bare metal part of the dead car's engine, not to its negative terminal. This keeps sparks away from the battery.
• Start the good car and let it run for a few minutes, then start the dead car. If it does not start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
• Once the dead car is running, remove the cables in the reverse order: black from the engine, black from the good car, red from the good car, red from the dead car.
• Drive the jumped car for at least 20 to 30 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery. If the battery dies again the next day, it probably needs to be replaced. Have it tested.

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