can you jumpstart a 12 volt battery with a car

[LaSkylar]

Yes, you can jumpstart a 12-volt battery with a car, and it's a standard procedure for dealing with a dead battery. The key is to use a vehicle with a healthy 12-volt battery system as the donor car. The process involves connecting jumper cables in a specific, safe sequence to transfer power from the donor battery to the dead one, providing enough charge to start the engine.

Safety is the absolute top priority. Before you begin, inspect both batteries. If you see any cracks, leaks, or corrosion, do not proceed. Modern cars are packed with sensitive electronics, so an incorrect connection can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual first, as some manufacturers have specific jump-starting points in the engine bay instead of directly on the battery.

The correct connection order is critical:

1. Red Clamp (+) to the dead battery's positive terminal.
2. Other Red Clamp (+) to the donor battery's positive terminal.
3. Black Clamp (-) to the donor battery's negative terminal.
4. Final Black Clamp (-) to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block or chassis, not the negative terminal. This final step helps prevent sparking near the battery, which could ignite hydrogen gas.

Once connected, start the donor car and let it run for a few minutes. Then, attempt to start the dead car. 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 recharge the battery. If the car doesn't start after a couple of tries, the problem may be more serious than the battery.

Common 12V Battery Voltages & States
Fully Charged, Resting Voltage	12.6 - 12.8 volts
Voltage Needed to Start Engine	~12.4 volts (minimum)
"Dead" Battery Voltage	Below 12.0 volts
Voltage While Engine Running (Alternator)	13.5 - 14.5 volts
Donor Car Battery Minimum Recommendation	12.4 volts

[MacJuliet]

Absolutely. I've done it more times than I can count. The main thing is to not rush and get the cable order right. Hook up the positive clamps to the positive terminals on both batteries first. Then, connect one negative to the good battery and the other negative to a clean, unpainted metal bolt on the dead car's engine. That last part is important for safety. Start the working car, wait a minute, then try starting the dead one. It usually fires right up.

[OChloe]

You can, but be cautious. Modern cars have complex computers that can be fried by a voltage spike. The safest way is to use a portable jump starter pack instead of another car. It eliminates the risk of wrong connections and is much simpler. If you must use a car, double-check your owner's manual for any special instructions. A mistake can turn a simple battery issue into a very expensive repair bill for the ECU or other modules.