How do I jump start a car safely?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to help a neighbor with a dead battery, but you blanked on which clamp goes where.

Wrong connections can damage electronics or cause sparks.

Causes & evidence

Always follow your owner's manual; the common order is below.

What to do

1. Turn both cars off.
2. Red to dead battery +, red to good battery +.
3. Black to good battery −, black to unpainted metal on the dead car.
4. Start the good car, wait a few minutes, then start the dead car.
5. Remove cables in reverse order.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: connecting the last black clamp to the dead battery's negative post, which can spark near battery gases. Clamp it to a bare metal part away from the battery. Another mistake is letting clamps dangle and touch. Check for cracks or leaks in the dead battery first, and don't jump a frozen or damaged battery. Some cars have special jump points under the hood, so read the manual. Portable jump starters are a handy option to keep in the trunk.

Speed Man tip: Never let the clamps touch each other.

Wrap-up: Red to plus. Black to metal ground. Reverse to remove.