[notmytarga]

I don't think anyone has described the rationale for connecting the POS/Red leads first. Here goes my try. My reason for doing this is that once one of the POS leads is connected the other one will spark and short to any other ground - not good. So connect them and then you will be protected from melting things. The NEG/Black clamps can touch anything EXCEPT the Red battery terminals etc without a problem. The POS leads CAN'T touch anything but POS electrical points. The small spark (and corresponding groan of the engine of the donor car) you get when completing the circuit by connecting the final clamp is a GOOD sign, IF it is momentary!! and away from the battery.

Differentiating the good spark from the BAD spark makes many people very leary of trying to do a jump. I guess I'm just comfortable with circuits and electricity. My wife wasn't pleased this weekend when I had my 8 year old wiring a new pressure switch for the air compressor, unplugged of course.