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Is red positive on a battery?

Help! I’m about to try to jumpstart my car, but I can’t remember—Is red positive on a battery?

Rachel Rigolino · Updated on Apr 4, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Yes, red is positive on a car battery. There are two terminals: red (+) is positive and black (-) is negative.

You will also notice that your jumper cables have two cables: the red (+) cable is positive, while the black (-) cable is negative. Always attach the red (+) cable to the red (+) side of the battery terminal.

When jumpstarting your car:

Always ground yourself with one end of the black (-) cable.

Never attach the two negative (-) battery terminals together.

Once the car starts and you are removing the cables, do not let clamps at the end of the cables touch.

Whenever you need a quick answer about jumpstarting your car—or any other car-related issue—ask Jerry!

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Jumpstarting your dead car battery back to life

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