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Glovebox jump-start card

Fold it in half and keep it with your cables.

AptKeys

Glovebox jump-start card

Glasses and gloves on. Cracked, bulging or rotten-egg smell? Don't jump it.

  1. Both cars off, in park, parking brakes on. Both 12-volt.
  2. Red to dead +
  3. Red to good +
  4. Black to good −
  5. Last black to bare metal on the dead car, away from the battery
  6. Start the good car. Wait 3 to 5 minutes. Start yours.
  7. Remove in reverse order. Drive at least 20 minutes.
Clamp order: red, red, black, metal. 1 dead +, 2 good +, 3 good −, 4 bare metal on the dead car. Take them off in reverse.

Hybrid or EV? Only the 12-volt battery can be jumped. Check the manual first.

Full lesson: How to jump-start a carChecked October 2, 2026. Sources: AAA; AAA Oregon/Idaho; Consumer Reports.

Sources

  1. AAA How to jump a battery
  2. Consumer Reports How to jump-start a car with a dead battery
  3. AAA Oregon/Idaho Jump-starting your car battery: a safe and easy guide
  4. AAA Got hybrid questions?

Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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