Jumping a Car - Dead Battery (1 Viewer)

[mr roboto]

I thought I heard at one point that you were supposed to jump a dead car by attaching positive terminals of both batteries but then grounding the negative on the dead battery car to a metal frame in the dead battery car. In other words, you were not to attach the negative cord from the live battery to the dead battery terminal. Is this correct?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

You can do both/either. Just needs to be grounded

 

[mr roboto]

Why is there a difference between the two options? Or rather, what is the difference between the two options?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I thought I heard at one point that you were supposed to jump a dead car by attaching positive terminals of both batteries but then grounding the negative on the dead battery car to a metal frame in the dead battery car. In other words, you were not to attach the negative cord from the live battery to the dead battery terminal. Is this correct?

Red to dead. Red to good. Black to good. Black to frame.

 

[Sarnoff]

Why is there a difference between the two options? Or rather, what is the difference between the two options?

In the olden days, sometimes you'd connect that last negative to the dead battery and there'd be a spark. And, sometimes, that'd ignite fumes or whatever around the battery. Most newer batteries don't have that problem anymore, so it doesn't really matter. At the same time, most newer cars have more plastic/fiberglass than metal so finding a suitable connection spot has become harder.

If you look, the negative terminal of the battery should have a wire or something connecting it to the metal frame of the car... so connecting the cables to the frame is the same as connecting it to the negative terminal itself. The only reason you wouldn't is to avoid the possible spark/ignition situation.