How To Jump Start A Car
A flat battery can often be jump started with cables and another car or a booster pack. Connecting in the right order matters for safety.
DifficultyMedium
TimeAbout 15 minutes
AreaBattery and electrical
What you need
- Jump leads or booster packIn good condition.
- A donor car with the same voltageUsually 12 volts.
- Owner’s manualSome cars have special jump points.
Step by step
- Check the manualSome cars must be jump started at specific terminals, not at the battery.Do not jump start a battery that is damaged, leaking or frozen.
- Connect red to the flat battery’s positiveThen the other red clamp to the donor’s positive.
- Connect black to the donor’s negativeThen the last black clamp to bare metal on the flat car’s engine, away from the battery.
- Start the donor carLet it run for a few minutes.
- Start the flat carIf it does not start, wait and try again briefly.
- Disconnect in reverse orderBlack from the metal first, then the rest.
When to go to a workshop
If the battery goes flat again, have the battery and charging system tested. Repeated jump starts often hide a failing battery or alternator.
Questions about How To Jump Start A Car
How long should I drive afterwards?
A longer drive helps, but a deeply discharged battery is best charged with a charger.
Can jump starting damage electronics?
Wrong connections or voltage spikes can. Follow the order and the manual.