So, you’re stranded in a strip mall parking lot with a dead battery. Thankfully, there’s a kind passerby who’s willing to give you a jump start, and you’ve got jumper cables in the trunk.
But there’s just one problem—you don’t know how to hook them up.
Why? Because you can’t remember which battery terminal is positive and which is negative. Hopefully, you’ve got your smartphone handy, so you can view this article and get clarification. Then you can get a jumpstart and (hopefully) be back on the road.
Determining which battery terminal is positive and which is negative is a relatively straightforward affair. Because mixing up a set of jumper cables can damage your vehicle, most automakers make it easy to tell the positive and negative terminals apart.
Some people wonder: Is red positive on a car battery? And the answer is: Yes—at least most of the time.
Typically, there is a red protective cover (or a black cover featuring a red plus (+) sign) over the positive battery terminal. The cover is there to prevent accidental shorting.
Of course, sometimes that cover is missing, and you have to look for other clues. Fortunately, most batteries also have a plus (+) and minus (-) sign stamped into the case.
As you might guess, the plus sign indicates the positive battery terminal, while the minus sign indicates the negative battery terminal.
In many cases, the battery cable itself will also be red in color. Though sometimes it’s black (or just really dirty), so you can’t always go by color alone.
The negative battery cable is almost always black in color. But, as was mentioned, the positive cable may also appear to be black. That’s why you should always look for the plus (+) and minus (-) signs stamped into the battery case.
Jump starting a vehicle with a set of jumper cables is pretty easy. Here’s how it’s done:
Warning: Mixing up the jumper cables or touching the cable ends together can damage the vehicle and potentially cause personal injury.
The video below demonstrates the steps listed above:
Still confused about battery terminals, jumper cables, and jumpstarting? No problem! The owner’s manual for your car lists detailed instructions on jumpstarting and battery care.
What’s more, if you’ve misplaced the print copy of your owner’s manual, digital versions are often available online. You can get them through the vehicle manufacturer’s website (e.g., Toyota.com).
If there’s something wrong with your car battery’s terminals, you might be better off getting a new one. Fortunately, finding a new car battery is easy with the help of CarParts.com.
You won’t have to worry about your new car battery dying on you any time soon — we make sure our products are just as good as your stock parts. Our car batteries are carefully vetted by a team of professionals to guarantee their quality and longevity.
The best part? You don’t even have to leave your home to order a new car battery. Simply use your mobile device or computer to visit our website. Then, fill out our vehicle selector and use the search filters to find direct-fit batteries that match your preferred brand, price, type, and more.
On top of that, our warehouses are strategically located all over the US, so you’ll be able to receive your order within a matter of days. We’ll also help you get the most value for your money with our unbeatable deals and competitive prices.
Check out our catalog and order your new battery today!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.