What colors are positive and negative on jumper cables

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Reference ID: 18.44f06e68.1668879371.f551020

Give your car battery the boost it needs.

Published:

October 15, 2019

Have you ever tried to start your car in the morning, only to realize you have a dead battery? Chances are you have somewhere to be and waiting on a tow service to jump-start your vehicle is not how you want to start your day. The good news, however, is that a set of jumper cables (and the help of a friend) will cut this inconvenience down to a mere 15 minutes.

Tools You’ll Need

9 Steps to Jump Start Your Car

Working with electricity can be dangerous, so be sure to take all safety precautions.

1. Organize the jumper cables

First, unravel your jumper cables. Separate them so there is a red and black clamp on each end of the jumper cables. Red is for the positive battery terminal, and black is for the negative terminal.

1. Locate your vehicle’s battery

With the ignition off, locate your vehicle’s battery. For most cars, the battery is located within the engine compartment, but reference your owner’s manual if unsure.

1. Position the vehicle that’s providing the jump start

With the help of a friend and a running vehicle, position the running vehicle within reach of the immobilized vehicle. The goal is to have the jumper cables capable of reaching both batteries at once. Once in position, shut off the ignition.

1. Connect the positive clamp to the dead battery

Locate the positive terminal on your dead battery (identified by a “+” symbol), and proceed to attach one of the red clamps to the positive battery terminal. Be sure to prevent the adjacent black/negative clamp from making any contact with the vehicle (to avoid any sparks).

1. Attach the jumper cables to the vehicle providing the jump start

Using the clamps on the other end of the jumper cables, attach the red clamp to the positive terminal (+), then attach the black clamp to the negative terminal (-).

1. Attach the remaining negative cable

Back on the other end of the jumper cables, attach the remaining negative battery cable to an unpainted surface away from the battery (such as a bolt or an engine bracket). The reason we are not connecting it to the negative battery terminal is to minimize any chance of battery gases igniting from a nearby spark.

1. Charge the dead battery

With both cars connected by the jumper cables, start the vehicle with the functioning battery and let it run for a few minutes.

1. Jumpstart your vehicle

After letting the battery charge for a few minutes, start the vehicle that initially had a dead battery. Once it starts, let the vehicle run for a couple of minutes.

1. Remove the jumper cables

Carefully disconnect the jumper cables and close the hood on each vehicle. Place the jumper cables in your trunk; you never know when you may need them again.

Congratulations, you’re done!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and is for information only. Always seek the advice of a certified professional or your vehicle manufacturer. If attempting any repairs yourself, take all safety precautions as necessary.

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