A dead battery in an automobile is an inconvenience at best. Given that nearly all automobiles manufactured since the 1980s rely upon complex electronics, the chance of having a dead battery is greater now than at any time in automotive history.
Nearly all automobiles can be jump-started. In addition, automobiles with manual transmissions--whether they are carbureted or have fuel injection--can be push-started, even when attempted jump-starting doesn’t work.
Drive the vehicle with the working battery to be close to (but not touching) the vehicle to be jump-started. Open the engine compartment for both vehicles and locate each vehicle’s battery. Leave the vehicle with the good battery running.
Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Connect the other end of this cable to the positive battery terminal on the running automobile. Connect one end of the black jumper cable to the running vehicle’s negative battery terminal. Connect the other end of the black jumper cable to the engine block or unpainted metal surface on the vehicle with the dead battery.
Attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were connected. Allow the engine to run for approximately 10 minutes before trying to drive off. If the engine does not start and the automobile has a manual transmission, you may choose to push-start the engine.
Insert the key into the ignition. Turn the switch to the "On" position. Place the transmission lever in "Neutral." Push the automobile forward until the automobile speed reaches approximately 10 mph.
Disengage (push in) the clutch and shift the vehicle into second gear. Quickly engage the clutch (also known as “letting out the clutch"); when the engine begins to turn over, press the accelerator pedal gently
When the engine starts, disengage the clutch. Place the transmission lever back into "Neutral" and allow the engine to run for approximately 10 minutes before driving away.
