jumpstart order

Wondering about the jumpstart order? Think of it as a polite handshake, not a wrestling match.

Connect red to the dead battery’s +, red to the donor’s +, black to the donor’s –, then black to a clean, unpainted metal ground on the dead car (not its – terminal). Start the donor, wait a couple of minutes, then start the stricken car and let them both run. Remove leads in reverse: black from the grounded car, black from the donor, red from the donor, red from the revived car. Keep the rescued one idling or go for a 20–30 minute drive to let the alternator do its thing. And yes, avoid jump‑starting hybrids/EVs or swollen/leaking batteries—call a pro instead.