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Open the hood on each car and locate the battery. Most cars will have the battery near the front of the car, to either side; however, some cars will position the battery toward the back, while others will have the battery in the trunk. Check your car’s user manual if you’re unable to locate the battery.
Identify the positive and negative terminals.
Positive = Red, usually marked with a plus sign (+).
Negative = Black, usually marked with a minus sign (-).
Make sure the red and black clamps never touch each other once connected to the batteries; this could cause electricity to arc and damage one or both cars. Do not let the cars touch each other, either.
Park the working car near the disabled car.
Turn off the engine, radio, lights, A/C, fans, and all other electrical components in both cars.
Connect the jumper cables in the following order, making certain you have a solid, clean connection between the cables and the terminals:
One red clamp on the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
One red clamp on the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
One black clamp on the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.
Connect the other black clamp to a piece of grounded metal on the dead car. Look for shiny (not oily or painted) metal attached to the engine.
Start the working car and let it idle for a few minutes.
Also, rev the engine a little above idle for 30 to 60 seconds.
Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If the car doesn’t start, shut the engine off and disconnect the last clamp. Wiggle or twist each clamp to make sure you have a clean connection, then restart the car, allowing the battery to charge for another five minutes.
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order in which you originally attached them, and replace any protective covers on the terminals:
The black clamp from grounded metal on the car with the dead battery
The black clamp from the negative (-) terminal of the good battery
The red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the good battery
The red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery
Keep the car running, slightly revved, for several minutes and then on idle for about 20 minutes before turning off the engine. This will allow the alternator to provide the battery with enough charge to start again. If it does not, then you may need to replace the battery or have your alternator checked.