There you are, coffee in hand, ready to head to work when you turn the key and hear nothing but a sad clicking sound—or worse, complete silence. A dead car battery is one of life’s little frustrations that seems to happen at the worst possible moment. But before you call a tow truck or bother a neighbor, let me walk you through how to jump start your car safely and correctly. I promise, with a little know-how and a set of jumper cables, you can be back on the road in minutes.

First things first, you need to identify that the battery is indeed the problem. If the dashboard lights come on dimly, the interior light is weak, or the engine cranks slowly before giving up, chances are your battery is drained. But if you turn the key and hear a rapid clicking, that often points to a weak battery as well. On the other hand, if there is no sound at all and no lights, you could be dealing with a completely dead battery or a corroded connection. A quick visual check of the battery terminals can save you time. Look for white or greenish crusty buildup around the posts. That corrosion can prevent the battery from delivering power even if it has a charge. You can clean it with a wire brush and a mix of baking soda and water, but we will save that for another article.

Assuming you have a standard lead-acid battery under the hood, you will need a second vehicle with a healthy battery. Park the working car close enough to yours so the jumper cables can reach both batteries, but make sure the cars are not touching each other. Turn off both engines, remove the keys, and engage the parking brakes. Safety is not just for show here—batteries contain sulfuric acid and produce hydrogen gas, which can be explosive. That is why you never want to smoke, use a lighter, or create any sparks near the battery.

Open the hoods and locate the batteries. In many modern cars, the battery might be tucked away under a plastic cover or even in the trunk, but the owner’s manual will point you to the jump start points. Some vehicles have designated positive and negative terminals under the hood specifically for jump starting, so look for red caps or plus signs. Next, take your jumper cables. They usually have two colors—red for positive and black for negative. Always connect the cables in the correct order to avoid dangerous sparks. Start by attaching one red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Positive is usually marked with a plus sign and might have a red plastic cover. Then attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. Now take the black clamp and connect it to the negative terminal of the good battery. Here is the step that trips up a lot of DIYers: instead of clamping the last black clamp to the negative terminal of the dead battery, you want to attach it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block or frame. Look for a bolt, bracket, or bare metal spot away from the battery and any moving parts. This ground connection reduces the chance of sparks near the battery where hydrogen gas might be present. A little spark is normal when you make the final connection, but you want it somewhere safe.

Once all four clamps are securely connected, start the working car and let it idle for a few minutes. You can gently rev the engine to about 2000 RPM for a minute or two to give the dead battery a bit of a charge. Then try starting your car. If it cranks slowly, give it another minute or two. If it starts right up, great. If not, check your connections—make sure the clamps are biting into clean metal and not just coating. Sometimes corrosion or a loose clamp is the culprit.

Once your car is running, leave it running and carefully remove the cables in the reverse order you put them on: first the black clamp from the ground on the dead car, then the black clamp from the good battery, then the red clamp from the good battery, and finally the red clamp from the dead battery. Be careful not to let the clamps touch each other or any metal surfaces as you disconnect them. Now close the hoods and drive your car for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. That allows the alternator to recharge the battery fully. Short trips around the block might not be enough, and you could end up with the same problem tomorrow.

A few important warnings: never try to jump start a frozen battery. If it is extremely cold and the battery is cracked or bulging, do not attempt it—replace the battery instead. Also, do not jump start a battery that is leaking fluid. And if your car is a hybrid or electric, the jump start procedure can be very different, so always consult the owner’s manual.

Jump starting is a handy skill every homeowner should know, especially if you keep a set of jumper cables in your trunk. And while we are on the topic, consider a portable jump starter—a small battery pack that can jump your car without needing a second vehicle. They are affordable and can be a lifesaver if you are alone in a parking lot.

Remember, a dead battery does not always mean you need a new one. Sometimes it is just a dome light left on overnight or a cold snap. But if your battery is more than three years old or keeps dying, it might be time to test it at your local auto parts store. Many will test it for free. Taking care of your car’s battery is just one of those simple home maintenance tasks that can prevent a lot of headaches down the road.