How do I clip the cables properly to jump start a BMW X5 xDrive35i? My car battery is dead, so my car won’t start. I’ve asked a friend to come by my house to help jump start it, but I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know how.

Phoebe Mah · Updated on Mar 20, 2023

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Fortunately, you are in the comfort of your own home and not stranded on the road!

jump start

your

BMW X5 xDrive35i

, you will need jumper cables with fully-insulated clamp handles. There is always a risk when dealing with electricity, so make sure you always avoid contact with electrical components when the engine is running.

To prepare and connect the jumper cables, follow these steps.

Preparing the vehicles

Step one: Check if the battery in the other vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and roughly 12 amp hour (Ah). This information will be printed on the battery.

Step two: Ensure both vehicles’ engines are turned off.

Step three: It is important for the two vehicles to not touch or there is a risk of a short circuit. It is equally crucial to be mindful that once the jumper cables are connected to a battery, the red and black ends of the jumper cables should never touch each other.

Connecting the jumper cables to the vehicles

Step one: On the

BMW

, pull the tab to fold open the cover of the BMW starting-aid terminal, which acts as the positive terminal. You can identify it by the cover cap marked with a plus sign.

Step two: Attach the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the assisting vehicle.

Step three: Attach the other end of the red jumper cable to the starting-aid terminal (positive terminal battery) of the BMW.

Step four: Attach one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal of the battery of the assisting vehicle.

Step five: Attach the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted surface on the dead car.

Step six: Start the other car. Let it run for several minutes.

Step seven: Attempt to start your car. If it doesn’t start, allow the other car to continue to run and charge your battery for several additional minutes. It may take up to 20. After that, try to start your car again.

Step eight: Once your car is running, disconnect the cables in the opposite order you attached them. If possible, drive your vehicle for at least 20 minutes before turning the engine off again.

There you go—your BMW X5 battery is now charged!

For ultimate peace of mind, consider getting a roadside assistance membership to ensure you’re covered in the event of future car mishaps. With

Jerry

in your pocket, you’ll never have to worry about being stranded because of a dead battery while on the road. For as low as $4.16 a month, Jerry’s roadside assistance includes jump starts, lockout service, key replacement, and towing.

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