Dead Battery? Here’s How to Jump-Start Your Car the Right Way

Whether you're a DIY kind of driver or looking for a cheap and fast solution, this guide will walk you through what to do—and when it’s time to call a mechanic for backup.

Before we jump into the fix, here are a few common reasons your battery might give out:

• You left the lights or radio on

• The battery is old and worn out

• Extreme heat or cold drained the charge

• Loose or corroded battery terminals

• The alternator isn’t recharging the battery properly

If your car won’t start and you hear a click—or nothing at all—you likely need a battery jump.

How to Jump-Start a Car in 5 Easy Steps

What you need:

• Jumper cables

• If you’re stuck in a parking lot or don’t have jumper cables, a mobile mechanic nearby can come directly to your location. It’s safer, faster, and often cheaper than a tow.

• A working vehicle (or call a mobile mechanic near me)

• A few minutes of patience

Step 1: Position Both Cars

Park the working car close enough for the cables to reach. Make sure both vehicles are in Park (or Neutral) with the engines off.

Step 2: Connect the Cables

• Red clamp to dead battery’s positive (+) terminal

• Red clamp to good battery’s positive (+) terminal

• Black clamp to good battery’s negative (–) terminal

• Final black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car (not the battery)—like a bolt or bracket

Step 3: Start the Good Car

Let it run for 2–3 minutes to charge the dead battery.

Step 4: Try Starting the Dead Car

If it starts—great! Let it run for at least 10–15 minutes to recharge.

Step 5: Disconnect in Reverse Order

Carefully remove the cables in the opposite order you attached them.

Still not starting? You might need more than a jump. Time to call a mechanic near me for a battery test or replacement.