A flat battery can happen to anyone, and it is more common in cold weather. Knowing how to jump-start a car safely can save you time and money. Always check your owner's manual first, since some vehicles have specific instructions or dedicated jump-start points. What you need - A set of jumper cables in good condition, or a portable jump starter - A second car with a healthy battery of the same voltage, if using cables - Safety gloves and eye protection, if available Before you begin - Park the cars close enough for the cables to reach, but do not let them touch. - Turn off both engines, and switch off lights, radio and air conditioning in both cars. - Apply the handbrake and put the cars in park or neutral. - Inspect the dead battery. Do not attempt a jump-start if it is cracked, leaking or frozen, and call roadside assistance instead. The connection order Cables have a red (positive) clamp and a black (negative) clamp at each end. The order matters. 1. Connect one red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. 2. Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. 3. Connect one black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery. 4. Connect the other black clamp to an unpainted metal part of the dead car, such as a bolt on the engine block, away from the battery. This is called grounding and helps avoid sparks near the battery. Start the cars 5. Start the engine of the working car and let it run for a few minutes. 6. Try to start the car with the dead battery. 7. If it does not start right away, wait a few more minutes with the donor engine running, then try again. Disconnect in reverse order Once the engine is running, remove the cables in the opposite order: 1. Black clamp from the grounded metal on the formerly dead car 2. Black clamp from the good battery 3. Red clamp from the good battery 4. Red clamp from the formerly dead battery Do not let the clamps touch each other while any of them are still connected. After the jump-start - Let the car run for at least 15 to 20 minutes, or drive it, to help recharge the battery. - Have the battery and charging system tested. A battery that fails once may fail again. - Turn on accessories after the engine is running smoothly. Common mistakes to avoid - Connecting the clamps in the wrong order or to the wrong terminals - Letting the clamps touch each other - Smoking or having an open flame near the battery - Using damaged cables - Leaning over the battery while connecting the cables What if it still does not start? If the car does not start after a couple of tries, there may be a different problem, such as a faulty starter, alternator or fuel issue. Call a professional or a roadside assistance service. Prevent a dead battery - Test your battery once a year, especially before winter. - Turn off lights and electronics before leaving the car. - Take longer drives from time to time, since short trips may not fully recharge the battery. - Keep a portable jump starter in the trunk. Stay calm, follow the sequence, and prioritize safety. If you are unsure at any point, call for help.