To attach jumper cables properly, follow these steps:
Prepare Both Vehicles: Park the vehicles facing each other, open the hoods, and turn off the engines.
Identify Battery Terminals: Locate the battery terminals on both vehicles. The positive terminal is usually marked with a "+" symbol and may be red, while the negative terminal is marked with a "-" symbol and may be black.
Position the Cables: Keep the jumper cables untangled and away from any moving engine parts.
Attach Red Cable: Connect one end of the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
Attach Red Cable to Donor Battery: Connect the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the donor (working) battery.
Attach Black Cable: Connect one end of the black (negative) jumper cable to the negative terminal of the donor battery.
Ground Black Cable: Connect the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block or frame of the vehicle with the dead battery, away from the battery and any moving parts.
Start the Donor Vehicle: Start the engine of the donor vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
Attempt to Start the Dead Vehicle: Try to start the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. If it doesn't start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
Disconnect the Cables: Once the dead vehicle starts, carefully disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order: black cable from the grounded metal surface, black cable from the donor battery, red cable from the donor battery, and finally, red cable from the dead battery.
Drive the Vehicle: Drive the vehicle for at least 20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery fully.
Always handle jumper cables with care, wear safety gloves and goggles, and ensure that the cables do not touch any moving engine parts.