How to jump start a car

If your vehicle’s battery dies, it can be handy to know how to jump-start a car so you’re prepared to get it going again. Here’s a step-by-step guide to jump-starting a car battery.

Prepare for jump starting

• Don’t attempt to use jumper cables if either vehicle has an electronic ignition system or is an alternatively fueled vehicle as this may damage the car.
• Pull the working vehicle close to, but not touching, the stalled one.
• Turn off ignitions in both cars.
• Put both vehicles in park or neutral.
• Engage emergency parking brakes.
• Pop hoods.
• Put on safety glasses.
• Remove any terminal covers.
• Wipe or wire-brush dirty terminals.
• Don’t jump a leaky or frozen battery.
• Don’t let cable clamps touch.
• Don’t reverse the polarity (connecting positive + to negative -) or damage may occur.

Attaching the jumper cables

• Grab the clean, corrosion-free jumper cables you keep in your vehicle or ask a fellow motorist for a pair.
• Begin at the dead battery.
  • Attach a red clamp to the positive + terminal.
• Next, move to the working battery.
  • Attach the other red clamp to the positive + terminal.
• Attach the black clamp to the negative – terminal.
• Attach the last black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the stalled car, preferably the engine block, cylinder head or other chassis ground.
• Start the working vehicle and let the engine run a few minutes.
• Try to start the dead vehicle.

Removing the jumper cables

While the engine is running:

• Disconnect the black clamp first, then disconnect the red.
• Don’t let the clamps touch each other while any cables are still connected to the cars.
• DO NOT shut the engine off. Let it run for about 15 minutes to recharge the battery.

Car battery still dead

• Recheck the clamp connections.
• Run the working vehicle again.
• Try to start it again.

If that still doesn’t work, that’s where State Farm^® Emergency Road Service coverage comes in handy. And once you’re in a safe spot, follow these battery replacement tips, if needed. And keep an eye on your car maintenance schedule to avoid a repeat experience.