Jump Starting a Vehicle Using Jumper Cables and Another Vehicle

Instructions for How to Jump Start a Vehicle Using Jumping Cables

Supplies

1 Set of Jumper Cables

1 Vehicle with Dead Battery (Discharged Vehicle)

1 Running (Charged/ Booster) Vehicle

Step 1: Put Vehicle Into Park

Ensure vehicle with dead battery (discharged vehicle) is in Park position and Turn ignition OFF.

Step 2: Turn Off All Unnecessary Electrical Accessories

Turn off all unnecessary electrical accessories including heater and radio.

Step 3: Assess the Length of Jumper Cables

Assess the length of Jumper Cables for proper positioning/ parking of the booster vehicle.

Step 4: Park the Vehicle Giving the Charge (Booster Vehicle)

Park the vehicle giving the charge (Booster Vehicle) within the jumper cable’s reach to discharged vehicle, apply parking brake and make sure ignition is OFF.

Step 5: WARNING!

WARNING: Failure to follow these instructions could result in battery explosion causing personal injury or property damage.

Step 6: CAUTION!

CAUTION: Neglecting to follow these instructions could result in damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.

Step 7: NOTES

NOTE: Ensure AT ALL TIMES unused ends of jumper cables are not contacting each other or either vehicle while making connections.

NOTE: Positive (+) ends of jumper cables and battery posts are usually labeled positive (+) and colored red. Negative (-) or grounding ends of jumper cables and battery posts are usually labeled negative or grounding and colored black. See Figure 1 Above

Step 8: Check for Post Coverings

Some vehicle batteries have plastic or rubber covering over the posts of the batteries for protection from corrosion. See Figures 2 and 3 above are of 2 different batteries from 2 different vehicles with 2 different types of covers over the positive (+) ports (circled in yellow.)

Step 9: Remove or Open Post Coverings

Remove or Open post coverings if the vehicles have them. See Figure 4 Above of the opened/ removed post covering.

Step 10: Connect Positive Cable to Positive Battery Post

Connect the positive (+) red end of the jumper cable to the positive (+) battery post of the discharged vehicle. See Figure 5 above

Step 11: Connect Opposite End of the Positive Jumper Cable

Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) red end jumper cable to the positive (+) post of the booster battery. See Figure 6 above

Step 12: Connect Negative Grounding Jumper Cable to Grounding Post

Connect the negative (-) grounding black end of the jumper cable to the negative (-) grounding black post of the booster battery. See Figure 7 above

Step 13: Identify Good Engine Ground of Discharged Vehicle

Identify a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine away from the battery and fuel injection system).

Step 14: WARNING!

WARNING: Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-) post of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could result in personal injury. Only use the specific ground point, do not use any other exposed metal parts.

Step 15: Connect Grounding Jumper Cable to Identified Engine Ground

Connect the opposite end of the negative (-) grounding black jumper cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and fuel injection system. See Figure 8 above

Step 16: Start the Engine of Booster Vehicle

Start the engine of the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle for a few minutes.

Step 17: Start the Engine of Discharged Vehicle

Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.

Step 18: Remove Jumper Cables

Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence.

Step 19: Reinstall Protective Post Covers

Reinstall the plastic or rubber protective covers over the positive (+) battery posts if applicable. See Figure 2 above.