can another car charge a dead battery

[Deborah]

Yes, you can use another car to charge a dead battery through a process called jump-starting. This method transfers electrical power from a healthy battery in a donor vehicle to your dead battery, providing enough charge to start your engine. Once the engine is running, your car's alternator will recharge the battery.

Safety is the absolute top priority. An incorrect connection can cause battery explosions, severe electrical damage to either vehicle's sensitive electronics, or personal injury. The core process involves using a set of jumper cables to create a safe circuit between the two batteries.

First, ensure both cars are in Park (or Neutral for manual transmissions) with the ignitions off. Position the donor car close enough for the cables to reach, but ensure the vehicles do not touch. Follow this connection sequence to minimize the risk of a dangerous spark near the battery:

1. Connect the red (positive+) clamp to the dead battery's positive terminal.
2. Connect the other red clamp to the donor battery's positive terminal.
3. Connect the black (negative-) clamp to the donor battery's negative terminal.
4. Connect the final black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block or chassis—this is the ground connection.

Start the donor car and let it run for a few minutes. Then, attempt to start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order. Drive the jumped car for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the alternator to sufficiently recharge the battery.

Key Risk	Consequence	Prevention
Reverse Polarity	Severe damage to batteries, alternators, and ECUs; potential for explosion.	Double-check positive (+) and negative (-) terminals before connecting.
Sparking Near Battery	Ignition of hydrogen gas emitted by the battery.	Make the final ground connection away from the dead battery itself.
Damaged/Junky Cables	Inefficient charging, overheating, fire hazard.	Use heavy-duty cables with thick gauge wire and clean, undamaged clamps.
Underlying Battery Fault	The car may not start again after being turned off, indicating the battery needs replacement.	Have the battery tested at an auto parts store after jump-starting.

It's important to understand that jump-starting is an emergency fix, not a battery charger. If your battery is old or chronically dead, it likely needs to be replaced.

[AvaMarie]

Absolutely, but do it right. The biggest mistake is connecting the cables incorrectly. Positive to positive first, then negative to the good battery. The last negative clip goes on a bare metal bolt in the dead car's engine bay, NOT on the dead battery's negative terminal. This prevents a spark from causing an explosion. Start the good car, wait a minute, then try starting the dead one. If it works, drive for a half-hour to recharge it.

[Morales]

Think of it like a blood transfusion for a car. The healthy battery is the donor, and the jumper cables are the IV line. You're giving the dead battery just enough of a jolt to wake up and get its heart (the engine) beating again. Once the engine is running, the car's alternator takes over, acting like a dialysis machine to fully recharge the battery as you drive. It's a temporary solution, but it gets you back on the road.

[KeiraLynn]

Been there, done that. The feeling of panic when your car won't start is real. Having a good set of jumper cables in your trunk is a lifesaver. The key is staying calm and methodical. Follow the steps exactly: red to red on the batteries, black to black on the good battery, and the last black to a clean, unpainted metal part under the hood of the dead car. Hearing that engine turn over is a huge relief. Just remember to get your battery checked afterward to see if it's time for a new one.

[LunaDella]

Yes, but it's a temporary bridge, not a permanent fix. The goal is to get the engine running so the car's own charging system can work. This method is ineffective for a battery that is physically damaged or has a dead cell. For modern cars with complex electronics, using a portable jump starter pack is often safer than jumper cables and another vehicle, as it eliminates the risk of voltage spikes from the donor car. If you jump-start frequently, the battery itself is probably the root cause and needs replacement.