Jump starting using another battery

Updated 2020-03-19

If the start battery is discharged, current from another battery can be used to start the vehicle.

P5-1507-Connect jumper cables — Jumper cable connecting points.

To avoid short circuits or other damage, the following steps are recommended when jump starting the battery using another battery:

Put the ignition in mode 0.

Make sure the auxiliary battery (the battery used to jump start the discharged battery) has a voltage of 12 volts.

If the auxiliary battery is in another vehicle, turn off that vehicle's engine and make sure that the vehicles are not touching each other.

Clamp the red jumper cable onto the auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal (1).

Important

Connect the jump cable carefully to prevent short circuits with other components in the engine compartment.

Fold back the cover over your vehicle's positive (+) jump start terminal (2).

Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to your vehicle's positive (+) jump start terminal (2).

Clamp the black jumper cable onto the auxiliary battery's negative (-) terminal (3).

Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to your vehicle's negative (-) ground point (4).

Make sure the jumper cables are securely attached to help prevent sparks while jump starting.

Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and let it run for a few minutes at a higher idling speed than normal, about 1500 rpm.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.

Important

Do not touch the connections between the cable and the vehicle during the start attempt. Risk of sparking.

Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order ‒ first the black cables and then the red cables.

Make sure that none of the clamps of the black jumper cables come into contact with either vehicle's positive (+) jump start terminals or either of the red jumper cable's connected clamps.

Warning

PROPOSITION 65 WARNING! Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Warning

Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any moving parts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surfaces.
If contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately with water. Obtain medical help immediately if eyes are affected.
Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark. Do not smoke near the battery. Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to injury.

Note

If the starter battery has been discharged to the extent that the vehicle does not have normal electrical functions and the engine must then be jump-started with an external battery or a battery charger, the Start/Stop function may remain activated. If the Start/Stop function shortly thereafter auto-stops the engine, there is a huge risk that auto-start of the engine will fail due to insufficient battery capacity since the battery had not had time to recharge.

If the vehicle has been jump-started or if there has not been enough time for the battery to be charged with a battery charger, the Start/Stop function should be temporarily deactivated until the battery has been recharged by the vehicle. At an ambient temperature of about +15°C (about 60°F), the battery must be charged by the vehicle for at least one hour. At lower ambient temperatures, the charging time can increase to 3-4 hours. It is advisable to charge the battery with an external battery charger.