How to Jump-Start a Car
What you’ll need
Jump leads (jumper cables), second vehicle with working battery
Step-by-step guide
A flat battery is one of the most common car problems, and it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. The good news is that jump-starting is straightforward if you follow the steps carefully. Safety is important here, so take your time.
1. Park the second car (the one with the good battery) close to yours so the jump leads can reach both batteries. Do not let the cars touch each other. Turn off both engines and remove the keys.
2. Open both bonnets and find both batteries. Each battery has two terminals — a positive (+) usually with a red cap, and a negative (-) usually with a black cap.
3. Take the red jump lead and connect one end to the positive (+) terminal of YOUR flat battery.
4. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the GOOD battery.
5. Take the black jump lead and connect one end to the negative (-) terminal of the GOOD battery.
6. This is the important bit: connect the other end of the black lead to an unpainted metal surface on YOUR car's engine — like a bolt or bracket — NOT to the negative terminal of your flat battery. This is a safety precaution that reduces the risk of sparks near the battery.
7. Double-check all connections are secure and the leads are away from any moving parts like fan belts.
8. Start the engine of the car with the good battery and let it run for a couple of minutes.
9. Now try to start your car. It might take a couple of attempts. If it does not start after three or four tries, the battery may be completely dead and need replacing.
10. Once your car starts, leave both engines running for a few minutes.
11. Remove the leads in the REVERSE order: black lead from your car first, then black from the good battery, then red from the good battery, then red from your battery.
12. Drive your car for at least 20 to 30 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery. Avoid turning the engine off during this time.
If your battery keeps going flat, it probably needs replacing. Most batteries last three to five years. A garage or auto parts shop can test it for you.
1. Park the second car (the one with the good battery) close to yours so the jump leads can reach both batteries. Do not let the cars touch each other. Turn off both engines and remove the keys.
2. Open both bonnets and find both batteries. Each battery has two terminals — a positive (+) usually with a red cap, and a negative (-) usually with a black cap.
3. Take the red jump lead and connect one end to the positive (+) terminal of YOUR flat battery.
4. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the GOOD battery.
5. Take the black jump lead and connect one end to the negative (-) terminal of the GOOD battery.
6. This is the important bit: connect the other end of the black lead to an unpainted metal surface on YOUR car's engine — like a bolt or bracket — NOT to the negative terminal of your flat battery. This is a safety precaution that reduces the risk of sparks near the battery.
7. Double-check all connections are secure and the leads are away from any moving parts like fan belts.
8. Start the engine of the car with the good battery and let it run for a couple of minutes.
9. Now try to start your car. It might take a couple of attempts. If it does not start after three or four tries, the battery may be completely dead and need replacing.
10. Once your car starts, leave both engines running for a few minutes.
11. Remove the leads in the REVERSE order: black lead from your car first, then black from the good battery, then red from the good battery, then red from your battery.
12. Drive your car for at least 20 to 30 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery. Avoid turning the engine off during this time.
If your battery keeps going flat, it probably needs replacing. Most batteries last three to five years. A garage or auto parts shop can test it for you.