The Safe Way to Jump-Start a Modern Car

A dead battery is a common problem, but jump-starting a modern vehicle requires more care than it did in the past. Today's cars are packed with sensitive electronics that can be easily damaged by improper jump-starting procedures. Follow this guide to do it safely.

What You'll Need

• A set of quality jumper cables.
• A second vehicle with a healthy battery (the "donor" vehicle).
• Safety glasses and gloves.

Step-by-Step Guide

Before you begin, turn off both vehicles and any electronics. Put both cars in Park or Neutral and engage the parking brakes.

1. Connect the RED (Positive) Cable: Attach one of the red clamps to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Then, attach the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the donor battery.
2. Connect the BLACK (Negative) Cable to the Donor: Attach one of the black clamps to the negative (-) terminal of the donor battery.
3. Connect the FINAL BLACK (Negative) Cable to a Ground Point: This is the most critical step. DO NOT connect the final black clamp to the negative terminal of the dead battery. This can create a spark, potentially igniting hydrogen gas being emitted by the battery. Instead, find an unpainted metal surface on the engine block or chassis of the dead vehicle, away from the battery. This is your grounding point. Attach the final black clamp here.

Starting the Cars

1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery slightly.
2. Attempt to start the dead vehicle. If it doesn't start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
3. Once the dead vehicle is running, you can disconnect the cables.

Disconnecting the Cables

Disconnect the cables in the reverse order of how you connected them:

1. Remove the black clamp from the grounded surface on the formerly dead vehicle.
2. Remove the black clamp from the donor battery.
3. Remove the red clamp from the donor battery.
4. Remove the red clamp from the formerly dead battery.

Let the jump-started car run for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery. If the battery was old, it's highly recommended to have it tested, as it may not be able to hold a charge properly.