Emergency Starting With Jumper Cables

SD DM 23.03.01
Warning: Batteries release explosive gas. Do not smoke when working around batteries. Put out all flames and remove all sources of sparks or intense heat in the vicinity of the battery. Do not allow the vehicles to touch each other. Do not lean over the batteries when making connections, and keep all other persons away from the batteries. Failure to follow these precautions could lead to severe personal injury as a result of an explosion or acid burns.

    When using jumper cables, follow the instructions below.

      Notice: Make sure both electrical systems are the same voltage. Electronic devices on both vehicles can be damaged when connected to a vehicle with a different operating voltage.

      Note: On vehicles equipped with optional jump-start posts, connect to the posts instead of the batteries.

    1. Apply the parking brakes and turn off the lights and all other electrical devices.
    2. Remove the battery box cover, and the inner cover, to expose the battery posts. See Power Distribution for instructions.
    3. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive battery post on the vehicle needing the jump start, then connect the other end of the positive jumper cable to the positive battery or jump start post of the vehicle providing the jump. See Fig..
      • + Battery Cable to Vehicle

      • – Battery Cable to Vehicle

      • + Jumper Cable (connect first and disconnect last)

      • – Jumper Cable (connect last and disconnect first)

      Fig. 1, Jumper Connections

    4. Warning: Do the next step exactly as instructed and do not allow the clamps of one cable to touch the clamps of the other cable. Otherwise, a spark could occur near a battery, possibly resulting in severe personal injury from explosion or acid burns.

    5. Connect one end of the second jumper cable to the negative terminal of the booster battery, and connect the other end of the cable to to the negative battery post of the vehicle needing the jump start.
    6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster batteries, and let the engine run a few minutes to charge the batteries of the other vehicle.
    7. Attempt to start the engine of the vehicle with the batteries receiving the charge. Do not operate the starter longer than 30 seconds, and wait at least two minutes between starting attempts to allow the starter to cool.
    8. When the engine starts, let it idle a few minutes.
    9. Warning: Do the next step exactly as instructed and do not allow the clamps of one cable to touch the clamps of the other cable. Otherwise, a spark could occur near a battery, possibly resulting in severe personal injury from explosion or acid burns.

    10. Disconnect the grounded cable from the frame or other non-battery location, then disconnect the other end of the cable.
    11. Disconnect the remaining cable from the newly charged battery (or jump-start post if equipped) first, then disconnect the other end.
    12. Install the cover; be sure it is positioned properly before fastening the latch.
    Note:
    Document Number: 0000123571
    Manual Publication Date: 2025-01-23
    Topic Publication Date: 2025-04-05