How To: Use jumper cables to jump start a car

This video explains how to use jumper cables to jump start a car. First, determine that a dead battery is the reason your car is not starting. If the engine cranks when you turn the key, the problem is not the battery and jump-starting won't help. If the windshield wipers, lights and heater blower all work, the battery is probably fine and you may have a bad starter. A jump-start won't help if you have a bad starter. If you hear no sound at all when you turn the key or if the engine cranks very slowly and the accessories do not work, then you have a dead or low battery and it's time to break out the jumper cables. You'll need a flashlight if it's dark outside. Find someone with a running car that can give yours a jump. Open the hoods on both cars and determine where the batteries are. Park the booster car (the one that's running) so that the batteries are adjacent. Turn off the booster car. Attach the red jumper cable's end to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Use a rag to wipe the battery clean if you can't see the Pos or plus (+) sign on the battery. The positive terminal is always slightly larger than the negative one. Attach the other end of the red cable to the booster battery's positive terminal. Attach the black jumper cable's end to the booster battery's negative terminal. Attach the other end of the black jumper cable to a ground on the dead car's engine; any solid metal part works fine. You may see a small spark when you attach the last end. This is normal. Turn on the booster car and rev the engine. Turn on the dead car. If it doesn't start, you may have a poor connection at any of the four cable ends. Jiggle each cable end and try starting the car again. Once the car starts, disconnect the cables in reverse order of attachment: negative, negative, positive, positive. Keep the engine running on the jumped car for at least 20 minutes or longer so the alternator has sufficient time to recharge your battery.