How to Safely Jump-Start Your Car

Jump-starting a car can be dangerous if proper procedures are not followed. Always consult your owners manual for specific instructions. Make sure that you are using a good set of heavy-duty jumper cables. Cheap cables can easily heat up, melt and short both cars systems

Step 1. Position the cars close enough for jumper cables to be connected, but not touching. Step 2. The transmission on both vehicles should be in park, or in neutral with a manual transmission. The parking brake should be on and the ignition and all accessories and lights should be off off.

Step 3. Connect one end of the positive cable (usually RED in color) to the positive terminal of the good battery. Step 4. Attach the other end of the positive cable (RED) to the positive terminal of the disabled battery. Step 5. Connect one end of the negative cable (usually BLACK) to the negative terminal of the good battery.

Step 6. Attach the other end of the negative cable (BLACK) to the engine block or alternator mounting-bracket of the disabled car, as far from the battery as possible. Do not connect the negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery. If you do, gases that develop may become ignited by a spark.

Step 7. Start the engine on the car providing the jump. When attempting to start the disabled vehicle, don't crank the starter for more than 20 seconds. If it doesn't start in 20 seconds, wait two full minutes before trying again. Step 8. When the disabled car is running, disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order from which they were connected.

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