Jump Starting Your Car: An Out of Order Rookie Mistake

Leaving a condolence call to a neighbor just down the street, Tom confronted a car stuck in the middle of the narrow road, blocking his way with another car parked alongside. Two drivers stood there puzzled, milling about, their hoods open. It seems that all attempts at jumpstarting the stuck car had utterly failed. Lucky for them, Tom knew the probable cause: the leads had been attached in the wrong order. Tom explained that in jump starting a car, it’s crucial to attach the negative cable first, then the positive.

The drivers thanked Tom for his help and quickly reconnected the cables in the correct order. With a few more tries, the stuck car finally roared to life, and the road was clear again. As Tom continued on his way, he couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of doing things in the correct order—especially when jump starting a car.

It’s not difficult to jump start a car—in fact it’s quite easy—but there are many steps to remember, and they have to be done in sequence. Otherwise, there’s a risk of sparks and possible damage to the electrical system. Also, it’s a good way to fry your battery and it won’t start your car.

Instructions for Jump Starting Cars

Remembering the following simple steps in their proper order, can save you time, money, and much future frustration, when jump starting a car:

1. Attach the black negative cable of the jumper cables to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
2. Next, attach the other end of the negative cable to a metal part of the car with the good battery.
3. Now attach the red positive cable of the jumper cables to the positive terminal of the good battery.
4. Attach the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
5. Try starting the car with the dead battery.
6. If it starts, let the car run for a few minutes.
7. Turn off the engine.
8. Disconnect the red positive cable from the positive terminal of the dead battery.
9. Then disconnect the other end of the positive cable from the positive terminal of the good battery.
10. Now disconnect the black negative cable from the metal part of the car with the good battery.
11. Finally, disconnect the negative cable from the negative terminal of the dead battery.
12. Double-check that all connections have been properly disconnected and secured.
13. Close the hoods of both cars and be on your separate merry ways.