Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Carrying Out
If the battery in the vehicle supplying power is weak, start the engine of this vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
Always conform with the procedures to avoid injury to persons or damage to parts:
- On automatic transmission, select "P" setting, apply handbrake.
- Move the shift lever of vehicles with manual transmission into neutral and apply the parking brake.
- Ensure that the jump leads cannot get caught in rotating parts, e.g. fan.
- First connect positive terminals of both batteries with one jump lead (red).
- Use positive connection point in engine compartment for vehicles with one battery in trunk.
- Then attach second jump lead (black) to negative terminal of donor battery and to engine ground or body ground on vehicle to be started.
Danger of explosion! After engine of vehicle to be started has started up, first disconnect the jump lead on the negative terminal/ground connection. Then remove jump lead from positive terminals.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.