How to correctly jump start a vehicle.
How to correctly jump start a vehicle.
Position the vehicles so the batteries are as close as possible without the bumpers touching. Turn off both engines, set both parking brakes, and open the hoods. Identify the positive (marked POS or + ) and negative (marked NEG or - ) posts on each battery. Attach the cable with the red clamps to the positive posts of each battery. DO NOT let the metal clamps of the the red and black cables touch each other. On the car with the good battery, attach the cable with the black clamps to the negative post. On the car with the dead battery, ground the connection by clamping the black cable to the bare metal on the car’s frame. DO NOT attach this clamp to the negative post of the dead battery. Make certain the cable isn’t near the fan or fan belt. Start the car with the good battery, reving the engine a little to make sure the battery is charged. Next, start the car with the dead battery. (If the car still won’t start, you need a mechanic.) With both cars running, disconnect the cables, beginning with the black cable that is the ground connection, then the other black cable in reverse order. Drive for at least 20 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery. Have the battery and charging system checked ASAP. Auto Zone will do this for free.