You’ve got jumper cables in one hand and a dead car in front of you, and the question is always the same: which clamp goes where first? Get the order right and jump-starting is quick and safe. Here’s the sequence.

Before You Start

• Park the working car close, but don’t let the two cars touch.
• Turn both cars off, set the parking brakes, and turn off lights and accessories.
• Check your owner’s manual. Some cars have special jump-start points under the hood instead of using the battery directly.
• Look at the dead battery. If it’s cracked, leaking, or swollen, don’t jump it. Call for help instead.
• Keep the clamps from touching each other once any of them is connected.

The Connection Order

1. Red to the dead battery’s positive (+) terminal.

2. Red to the good battery’s positive (+) terminal.

3. Black to the good battery’s negative (-) terminal.

4. Black to bare, unpainted metal on the dead car’s engine or frame, away from the battery. Not to the dead battery’s negative terminal. This last connection can make a small spark, and you want that spark away from the battery.

Start It Up

Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes. Then try starting the dead car. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Taking the Cables Off

Once the dead car is running, remove the cables in reverse order: black from the metal, black from the good battery, red from the good battery, red from the formerly dead battery. Keep the clamps away from each other the whole time.

After the Jump

Keep the car running and drive it for a while so the battery can recharge. If it goes dead again soon, the battery or the charging system needs to be checked.

My guide walks you through jump-starting a car, step by step.

Get the full guide: How to Jump-Start a Car by Hank Palmer, on Amazon