Jump-starting a vehicle is an old-school but effective way to start your vehicle when the battery does not have enough stored electricity to turn over the starter and get your vehicle going. It's not a difficult process but does require you to take a few precautions.

Things You'll Need:

• Battery cables
• 12V car battery
• 1/16-inch wrench
• 9/16t-inch wrench
• 1/2-inch wrench
• Battery post brush

Using the appropriate-size wrench, disconnect the positive and negative (black and red) wires from the fully charged battery and battery to be charged. Use a battery post brush to remove any corrosion from battery posts. For side-mounted terminals, use the battery post brush to clean corrosion from the bolts that screw into the side mount threads.

• Step 2

  Reconnect all battery leads and secure tightly on the connections, being careful not to cross cables.

• Step 3

  Attach a black battery cable to one end to the negative terminal on the fully charged battery. The positive or negative terminal on the battery can be determined by locating the plus or minus sign next to the battery post on the side or top mounted terminals. They can also be identified by finding the black wire (negative) and the red wire (positive)

• Step 4

  Attach the opposite end of the battery cable with the black lead to the negative terminal on the battery to be charged.

• Step 5

  Position the red cable going to the vehicle to be charged away from contact with anything metal. For example, let it hang over the front grille. This step is crucial in avoiding electric shock or battery damage.

• Step 6

  Attach the red cable over the post on a top-mounted battery or over the side mount bolt, on the fully charged battery. The cables are now live on both ends, meaning they have electricity running through them.

• Step 7

  Attach the red cable securely over the post on the top-mounted battery or over the side mount bolt on the vehicle to be charged.

• Step 8

  Start the car with the fully charged battery and allow a few minutes for the weak battery to be charged.

• Step 9

  Turn over the vehicle with the low battery and see if it starts. If not, give it another few minutes to charge and then try again. If it starts, you are finished and on you way. If not, this indicates that your battery is damaged and will not hold a positive charge.

• Step 10

  In either case, remove the battery cables in the opposite order that you put them on, being careful not to touch both cables or both battery connections together at one time. Store your battery cables in a dry place such as your trunk to prevent corrosion.