Few things are as annoying as settling into your car, ready to get home after a long day of work, only to realize your car battery is dead. While it's a minor thing, a dead car battery can be extremely frustrating. We know. We've been there. But before you start taking out your frustration on your poor car, take a moment to read over this detailed how-to. We have everything you need to know to jump start your dead car battery.

Causes of a dead car battery

Let's start with a few of the causes of a dead car battery. Even though you're in this predicament now, you may be able to avoid a future repeat if you know the causes:

1. Leaving the lights onThis is one of the most common reasons for car battery failure. Leaving your car lights on, whether inside your car or your headlights outside of the car, can drain the battery.
2. Cold weatherCold weather is the Achilles heel of a weak battery. Now is the time to take your car in to get the battery checked. If it is weak, replacing it soon is a smart idea.
3. ElectronicsAll those car chargers you plug into your car definitely don't help a weakened battery. They can suck the remaining life from a weak battery, especially when coupled with cold weather.
4. Battery NeglectIf you don't clean your battery terminals regularly, dirt and debris can build up and cause battery issues.
5. Keeping your car in storageNot starting your car for long periods of time can promote a failing car battery. So don't keep your car cooped up for too long -- let it feel the freedom of the open road.
6. Diode bridge or voltage regulator failureThe alternator powers the car battery, so if the alternator isn't working properly, it can affect the car battery's life.

Is it really dead?

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to jump start your car, check to make sure the battery really is dead. You can do this by turning on your car's headlights. If they are dim or fading, you have a dead car battery. Another way to test whether or not the battery is dead is by putting your key into the ignition. Does the dashboard light up or flicker? If it doesn't, you could have another issue, such as a problem with your ignition switch. If you discover that you do not have a dead battery, you should take it in to be serviced as soon as possible.

What you'll need

Before you begin, you'll need to be sure you have jumper cables. You will also need a working car battery to supply the power to jump start your dead car battery. Finally, safety is key here, so be sure to have a pair of gloves and goggles.

How to jump start your dead car battery

1. Park the functioning car near the car with the dead battery, preferably with their noses facing each other. Be sure both cars have their parking brakes engaged. If dealing with a manual transmission, be sure to put the car in neutral.
2. Unplug all electrical devices and turn the car completely off -- don't run the AC or radio.
3. Open the car hoods and locate the car battery in each vehicle. If you're having a difficult time identifying it, refer to your owner's manual.
4. Thoroughly inspect the battery to ensure there are no leaks or cracks. If you find any damage, do not proceed with the next steps and have your car serviced as soon as possible.
5. Identify which terminals on the batteries are positive (usually red with a "+" sign) and negative (usually black with a "-" sign).
6. Identify which cable is for the positive terminal (usually red or orange) and which cable is for the negative terminal (usually black).
7. Wearing your gloves and goggles, connect the cables in this exact order:   1. Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead car battery.   2. Connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the functioning car battery.   3. Connect the negative cable to the negative terminal of the functioning car battery.
   CAUTION: You have just made your cables live. Be careful not to touch the final cable to yourself or anywhere else on your car, other than indicated by your owner's manual and this guide.
      4. Connect the final negative cable to a grounded metal section in the engine bay of thedead car. This should be away from the battery. 
          Usually this can be accomplished by finding a bolt on the engine (away from moving parts), but any unpainted protruding piece of metal will do.
8. Make sure you and anyone else that may be helping you is away from moving parts of the engine and then start the engine of the functioning car. Allow it to run for 1-2 minutes and rev the engine a bit to power the dead battery.
9. Once the car with the dead battery starts, remove the jumper cables in this order:   1. Disconnect the cable from the metal piece of the dead car.   2. Disconnect the negative cable from the negative terminal of the original functioning battery.   3. Disconnect the positive cable from the positive terminal of the original functioning battery.   4. Disconnect the positive cable from the positive terminal of the previously dead battery.

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