How to Jump-Start a Vehicle - Les Schwab

Jump starting a dead vehicle isn’t difficult when you have the right tools and know-how from the pros at Les Schwab.

Remove the key from the ignition in the vehicle with the dead battery. Then, take out your jumper cables. Be sure to keep all the ends apart.

On the vehicle with the dead battery, hook up the positive (red) clamp to the positive (+) post on the battery. Then hook up the positive cable to the positive post on the working battery. Now, attach the negative (black) cable to a grounded piece of metal on the dead car. And finally, hook up the negative cable to the negative post on the functioning battery.

Turn on the car with the good battery and allow it to idle for several minutes. Then start the car with the dead battery. Don’t turn off the vehicle. Remove the cables in the opposite order, and then head to your local Les Schwab for a free battery check.

Learn how your battery is a vital part of your vehicle’s safety components: lesschwab.com/safety

Les Schwab Tire Centers — Get More from Les

Find Les Schwab on Facebook: facebook.com/lesschwab
Find Les Schwab on X: x.com/LesSchwab
Find Les Schwab on Youtube: youtube.com/user/LesSchwabTireCenters
Find Les Schwab on Instagram: instagram.com/lesschwabtires/

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction on Safely Jump-Starting a Vehicle
0:15 Remove the Key From the Ignition
0:23 Keep Jumper Cable Ends Apart
0:29 How to Install Jumper Cables on the Dead Vehicle
0:39 How to Install Jumper Cables on the Live Vehicle
1:13 How to Install the Ground/Negative Cable on the Dead Vehicle
1:30 Jumper Cable Safe Placement
1:57 Start the Live Car & Let Run
2:11 Start the Dead Car
2:33 How to Disconnect the Jumper Cables
3:01 Inclement Weather and Nighttime Safety