Jumping a car, or jump starting a car, is a simple way to start a car with a dead battery. Here's how to do it:
-
Make sure that both cars are turned off and the keys are out of the ignitions.
-
Locate the battery in both cars. In most cars, the battery is located under the hood.
-
Connect one end of the positive jumper cable (the red one) to the positive terminal of the dead battery. The positive terminal is usually marked with a "+" sign or the word "positive."
-
Connect the other end of the positive jumper cable to the positive terminal of the working battery.
-
Connect one end of the negative jumper cable (the black one) to the negative terminal of the working battery. The negative terminal is usually marked with a "-" sign or the word "negative."
-
Connect the other end of the negative jumper cable to a metallic part of the dead car's engine, away from the battery. This can be a bolt on the engine block or a part of the frame.
-
Start the car with the working battery and let it run for a few minutes.
-
Try starting the car with the dead battery. If it starts, remove the cables in the reverse order that you put them on (disconnect the negative cable from the car with the dead battery first, then the negative cable from the working battery, followed by the positive cables).
It's important to make sure that the cables are properly connected and the cars are not touching when jump starting a car. If done improperly, jump starting a car can be dangerous and potentially cause damage to the cars or even result in injury. If you are unsure how to jump start a car or do not feel comfortable doing it, it is recommended to call a professional or roadside assistance.
