can a hybrid car battery be jumped

[Raymond]

Yes, you can jump-start a hybrid car, but the process is different from a traditional gasoline-only car. The key is to connect the jumper cables to the 12-volt battery, not the large high-voltage hybrid battery pack. The high-voltage battery, which powers the electric motor, is dangerous to handle and is not involved in a standard jump-start. The car's 12-volt battery, which operates the lights, radio, and computer systems, is what needs the jump when it's dead.

Locating the 12-volt battery can be tricky. In many hybrids like the Toyota Prius, it's not under the hood near the engine; it's often in the trunk or under a rear seat. Your owner's manual is the best resource for its exact location and the designated jump-start terminals under the hood, which are safer and easier to access.

Once you've found the correct positive and negative terminals, the steps are familiar:

1. Park the working car close but not touching, and turn both cars off.
2. Connect positive (red) clamp to the dead hybrid's positive terminal.
3. Connect the other positive clamp to the working car's positive battery post.
4. Connect negative (black) clamp to the working car's negative post.
5. Connect the final negative clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the hybrid's frame, away from the battery.
6. Start the working car, wait a few minutes, then start the hybrid.

If the hybrid doesn't start after a proper jump, the issue is likely with the high-voltage hybrid battery or another component, and you should seek professional service. Attempting to jump the high-voltage battery directly is extremely dangerous.

Hybrid Model	Typical 12V Battery Location	Designated Jump-Start Terminal Under Hood?
Toyota Prius	Trunk	Yes
Ford Fusion Hybrid	Trunk	Yes
Honda Insight	Under Hood	Yes (Standard Location)
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid	Under Hood	Yes (Standard Location)
Lexus ES Hybrid	Trunk	Yes
Chevrolet Volt (PHEV)	Under Hood	Yes

[OOmar]

Absolutely, but you gotta jump the right battery. Don't even think about touching the big, scary hybrid battery. You're looking for the small, regular 12-volt battery just like in any other car. It might be hiding in the trunk instead of under the hood. Hook up the cables to that one—positive to positive, negative to a clean metal bolt—and you should be back in business in a few minutes. Always check the manual first to be safe.

[TuckerRose]

I learned this the hard way when my Camry Hybrid's lights were left on. The main hybrid battery was fine, but the small 12-volt was dead. The jump-start points are under the hood, making it easy. I connected the cables just like for a regular car, started the donor vehicle, and my hybrid powered up its computers normally. It was a relief. The car then used the hybrid system to recharge the small battery itself as I drove. It’s a straightforward fix if you follow the manual.

[Carol]

The crucial detail is that the high-voltage battery is isolated from the 12-volt system you need to jump. This is a critical safety feature. You are only ever interacting with the standard 12-volt electrical system. The process is designed to be safe if you follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely. Using the under-hood terminals is always recommended over directly accessing the 12-volt battery itself if it's located inside the cabin. This prevents any potential short circuits or sparks near the interior.