How To Jump Start Your Auto
Before proceeding any further you should read our "
Battery Safety" page. If you are unfamiliar with performing this service or you have any questions you should contact an auto repair professional.
Most autos that need to be jump started besides the obvious that the battery isn’t supplying enough power to start the engine are caused by corroded battery terminals or on low maintenance batteries low fluid.
STOP: If the battery is leaking, is low on fluid or appears frozen; DO NOT ATTEMPT TO JUMP START THE AUTO.
If the battery terminals have a white or blue corrosion around them as shown in the photo below, you would be wise to service them first.
Assuming the battery appears to be in good physical shape.
a) Position both the good & bad autos as close as possible without touching each other.
b) Turn off the good auto & make sure there is nothing on, radio, cell phone charger, radar detector, lights, etc.
c) Connect the jumper cable on the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery.
d) Connect the other end to the positive (+) terminal on the good battery.
e) Connect the other jumper cable on the negative (-) terminal on the good battery.
f) Connect the other end of the negative jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface such as a bolt on the engine.
STOP: Never connect to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery it can cause sparks. Sparks can cause battery explosions.
Never cross connect a positive cable to a negative cable. This will increase voltage to 24 volts & cause serious electrical system damage.
g) With everything properly connected start the good auto & let it charge the dead auto for a few minutes. Then start the dead auto.
h) Remove the cables in the reverse order.
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