Posted on 3/28/2025
A dead battery always seems to strike at the worst possible time—right before work, in a parking lot, or when you're far from home. While jump-starting is a useful skill every driver should know, it's also one of the most misunderstood car maintenance tasks. Done incorrectly, it can fry electronics, damage batteries, or even create a dangerous spark hazard. If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing where to connect the cables or wondering if your car could get damaged in the process, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through the most common mistakes drivers make when jump-starting a car—and how to do it safely. Mistake #1: Hooking Up the Cables in the Wrong Order When you’re in a rush, it’s easy to connect jumper cables without thinking twice. But mixing up the order or attaching them to th ... read more