The positive terminal on a car battery is typically marked with a plus sign (+) and is often covered by a red plastic cap. However, the physical side it's on (left or right) is not standardized and varies by vehicle manufacturer, model year, and even the country where the car was built. The only way to be 100% certain is to look for the + and - symbols stamped directly on the battery case near the posts.
Connecting jumper cables incorrectly can cause serious damage to your car's electrical system. Always visually identify the terminals by their markings, not just by color or location. The positive cable is usually red, and the negative is black, but corrosion or previous repairs can make this unreliable.
To make it easier, here is a general guide for some popular vehicle types, but remember to always verify with the markings:
| Vehicle Type / Common Examples | Typical Positive Terminal Location (When Facing Battery) |
|---|
| Most American-made vehicles (Ford, GM, Chrysler) | Right Side |
| Many Asian imports (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) | Left Side |
| European vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen) | Varies significantly; often on the right |
| Trucks & SUVs | Varies by make and model; no strong pattern |
| Group 35 Battery (Common size) | Often on the right |
| Group 24F Battery (Common size) | Often on the left |
The safest practice is to clean the terminals enough to see the + and - symbols. If you're jump-starting, connect positive to positive first, then attach the negative cable to a bare metal engine bolt or bracket away from the battery, not the negative terminal itself, to avoid sparking near battery gases.
