Is the red terminal on a car battery the positive or negative pole?
2 Answers
In car batteries, the red terminal is the positive pole, and the black terminal is the negative pole. The method for jump-starting a car battery is as follows: 1. Prepare two jumper cables; 2. Find a vehicle that can operate normally; 3. Position the two vehicles facing each other; 4. Connect the jumper cables to the batteries, positive to positive and negative to negative; 5. Start the functioning vehicle first, then start the vehicle receiving the jump-start. Once started, disconnect the cables. Car battery maintenance methods: 1. Regularly inspect the battery; 2. Avoid excessively long charging times; 3. Gently press the brake when starting; 4. Ensure the battery is fully charged if the vehicle will be parked for an extended period; 5. Protect the battery from extreme heat or cold.
I remember when I changed a car battery by myself for the first time twenty years ago, I almost connected the red and black terminals in reverse. A friend promptly reminded me: red is always the positive terminal, and black is the negative. If connected incorrectly, it could cause a short-circuit spark or even a battery explosion—extremely dangerous. This lesson ingrained a habit in me: before checking the battery, I always confirm the colors—red for the positive terminal, which represents the power output, and black for the negative terminal, which is the return circuit. The same applies to other batteries in daily life, such as those in electric vehicles or power banks—the red wire is always positive. Extending this to car maintenance, when terminals are corroded, always disconnect the black negative terminal first to avoid accidental electrical contact. This knowledge is quite practical and can save a lot of trouble. I advise beginners to read the manual carefully and not be as reckless as I was in my early days.