1. Gather Supplies:
* Jumper cables: Make sure they're in good condition and have strong clamps. Cheap cables can fail and cause problems.
* A running vehicle: This will be your power source. It needs to be running *before* you connect the cables.
* Safety Glasses (Optional but Recommended): Protect your eyes from sparks.
* Gloves (Optional): Protect your hands from battery acid.
2. Preparation:
* Park both vehicles: Park the vehicles close together, but ensure they don't touch. Turn off both vehicles.
* Locate batteries: Find the battery in both vehicles. In the Cobalt, it's usually located in the engine compartment, but check your owner's manual if you're unsure.
* Engage parking brakes: Set the parking brakes on both vehicles firmly.
3. Connecting the Jumper Cables:
This is crucial to do in the correct order to avoid sparks and damage to electronics. Remember POSITIVE to POSITIVE, NEGATIVE to NEGATIVE.
* Positive (+) to Positive (+): Connect one red cable clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead Cobalt battery. The positive terminal is usually marked with a "+" sign and may be covered with a red cap.
* Positive (+) to Positive (+): Connect the other red cable clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the running vehicle's battery.
* Negative (-) to Ground: Connect one black cable clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the running vehicle's battery. The negative terminal is usually marked with a "-" sign and may be covered with a black cap.
* Negative (-) to Ground (Important): Connect the other black cable clamp to an UNPAINTED metal surface on the engine block or chassis of the dead Cobalt. Do NOT connect it directly to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery. Connecting to the engine block avoids potential sparks near the battery.
4. Starting the Dead Car:
* Start the running vehicle: Make sure the engine is running.
* Attempt to start the Cobalt: Try to start the Cobalt. If it doesn't start immediately, let the running vehicle charge the battery for a few minutes before trying again.
5. Disconnecting the Jumper Cables:
* Turn off the running vehicle's engine.
* Disconnect the black cables: Remove the black cable from the Cobalt's engine block first, then remove the black cable from the running vehicle's negative terminal.
* Disconnect the red cables: Remove the red cable from the running vehicle's positive terminal, then remove the red cable from the Cobalt's positive terminal.
6. Let the Cobalt Run:
After jump-starting, let the Cobalt run for at least 20-30 minutes to recharge its battery sufficiently. This will prevent it from dying again too quickly.
Important Considerations:
* If the battery is severely damaged or corroded, jump-starting might not work, and you may need a new battery.
* If the Cobalt doesn't start after a jump-start, there might be another problem with the car's electrical system, such as a faulty alternator or starter. You'll need professional help in this case.
* If unsure about any step, it is always best to consult your vehicle's owner's manual or a qualified mechanic.
This process minimizes the risk of damage or injury. Always prioritize safety when working with car batteries.
