How To Jump Start Your Battery Without Killing Yourself or Your Car

It's not that difficult, really.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The typical jump start scene in movies is pretty theatrical. You see the guy whip out the cables, toss one end on a car that's still running, and spray some sparks by clanging the other end together. It's like they're handling defibrillator pads. We're surprised they aren't out there yelling clear!

Here's the thing: Jumping a car ain't even like that. 

Jump starting a car is a much more simple and calm exercise and is a piece of auto knowledge that everybody should know how to do. The first thing you should know is that keeping jumper cables in your trunk at all times is always a good idea. You never know when you, a friend, or a stranger might get stranded. If you're ever put into this situation, you need to know how to work with those cables. Let us explain in 11 easy steps How To Jump Start Your Battery Without Killing Yourself or Your Car. 

Related: 10 Common Car Problems You Shouldn't Need a Mechanic To Fix

Related: 10 Ways To Improve Your Car's Gas Mileage 

Related: 5 Signs You Need To Change Your Oil 

 

1. Make Sure It's the Battery

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2. Prep

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3. Positioning the Right Car

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4. Attach Positive Cable to Positive Terminal on Dead Car

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5. Then Positive to Positive on the Live Car

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6. Attach Negative to Negative on the Live Car

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7. Ground the Negative on the Dead Car

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8. Start the Working Car

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9. Start the Dead Car

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10. Remove the Cables in Reverse Order

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11. Keep the Previously Dead Car Running For at Least 30 Minutes

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