Car batteries are an often underappreciated yet essential part of your vehicle’s engine. Whether you left your lights on too long or have an old battery, a dead one will prevent you from even starting your engine. Keeping a set of jumper cables in your car and knowing how to use them will prepare you to handle an unexpected breakdown because of an exhausted battery.

A Beginner’s Guide to Jump-Starting Car Batteries

1. Prepare the Vehicles

To jump-start your battery, you’ll need another vehicle with a well-charged battery whose power you can borrow. Park the two cars close to each other, either side by side or facing each other front to front. How close depends on the length of your cables. Turn both cars off, then open their hoods.

2. Attach the Cables

Locate the positive and negative terminals on the car batteries of each vehicle. They will have red and black covers and a “+” and “-“ sign on each terminal. Lift the cover and attach one red clamp firmly to the positive battery terminal of the dead battery. Attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the charged battery. Attach the partnered black clamp to the negative terminal of the charged battery, and the final clamp to an unpainted metal part of the engine of the dead car. Choose a spot away from the battery and away from any moving parts.

3. Start the Engines

After checking that the areas around both engines and the cables are clear, start the engine of the working car. Let it run for a minute or two. Then start the engine of the dead car—this may take a few tries.

4. Remove the Cables

Disconnect the black jumper cables first, then the red ones. While removing them, do not allow any of the clamps to touch each other, any person, or any metal. Shut both the hoods.

5. Let It Recharge

Your car will need to run for a while to let the battery charge back up. Drive around for at least 10 to 15 minutes before turning it off. If you don’t, you may find yourself with a dead battery again.

The ASE®-certified team at Chung’s Alignment & Auto Services in Honolulu, HI, offers car battery care to ensure yours works reliably. The family-owned auto repair shop has served Oahu vehicle owners for over 18 years. Contact the certified NAPA® AutoCare Center online or at (808) 744-8692 to schedule an appointment for a battery and engine tune-up.