How to jump start a car?

The safe order is: connect positive (red) to the dead battery first, then to the booster battery, then connect negative (black) to the booster battery, and finally the last negative clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car — not the negative battery terminal itself.

Park both cars close enough for the cables to reach, but make sure they don’t touch each other. Turn both engines off, set the parking brakes, and pop both hoods. Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on each battery.

Cable order (critical):

1. Red clamp to the dead battery’s positive (+) terminal.
2. Red clamp on the other end to the booster battery’s positive (+) terminal.
3. Black clamp to the booster battery’s negative (-) terminal.
4. Black clamp on the other end to any unpainted metal surface on the dead car — a bolt or bracket within a foot of the dead battery. This reduces the risk of sparks near the battery.

Start the booster car and let it run for about two minutes. Then start the dead car. Remove the cables in reverse order: black from the dead car first, then black from the booster, then red from the booster, then red from the dead car. Drive the revived car for at least 15-20 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery.