Yes, you can jump-start a car with a dead battery using jumper cables and another vehicle with a working battery. Here’s how to do it safely:
What You Need:
✔ Jumper cables
✔ A working car (donor vehicle)
✔ Safety gloves (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Guide:
Position the Cars
Park both cars close enough for the jumper cables to reach but do not let them touch.
Turn off both cars and engage the parking brakes.
Connect the Jumper Cables
Red to Dead: Attach one red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
Red to Good: Attach the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Black to Good: Attach one black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.
Black to Metal: Attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car (like a bolt or engine block). Do not connect it to the dead battery’s negative terminal!
Start the Working Car
Let it run for about 5 minutes to charge the dead battery.
Start the Dead Car
Try turning the key. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
Remove the Cables in Reverse Order
Black from metal on the dead car.
Black from the good battery.
Red from the good battery.
Red from the dead battery.
Let the Jumped Car Run
Keep the car running for 15–30 minutes or take a short drive to recharge the battery.
If the Car Doesn’t Start:
Check the connections and try again.
If it still won’t start, the battery may be completely dead, or there could be another issue (starter, alternator, or cables).
Would you like troubleshooting tips if jump-starting doesn’t work?