How to connect jumper cables to Honda Pilot?

If your Honda Pilot's battery has died and you need to jump-start it, properly connecting jumper cables is crucial. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of safely connecting jumper cables to your Honda Pilot.

Preparing to Jump-Start Your Honda Pilot

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items:

• A set of jumper cables


• Another vehicle with a working battery


• Gloves (optional, but recommended for safety)

It's also important to ensure that both vehicles are turned off and parked close enough for the jumper cables to reach, but not touching each other.

Connecting the Jumper Cables

1. Engage the parking brakes on both vehicles.


2. Locate the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the Honda Pilot's battery. The positive terminal is usually marked with a "+" sign, while the negative terminal is marked with a "-" sign.


3. Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal on the Honda Pilot's battery.


4. Connect the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal on the working battery.


5. Connect one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal on the working battery.


6. Connect the other end of the black jumper cable to a metal ground on the Honda Pilot, such as an unpainted bolt or the engine block. Avoid connecting it directly to the negative battery terminal.

Make sure the jumper cable connections are secure and that the cables are not touching any moving parts or the vehicle's body.

Starting the Vehicles

1. Start the engine of the vehicle with the working battery and let it run for a few minutes to charge the Honda Pilot's battery.


2. Try to start the Honda Pilot's engine. If it doesn't start after a few attempts, let the working vehicle run for a few more minutes before trying again.


3. Once the Honda Pilot's engine is running, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order: first the black cable from the ground, then the black cable from the working battery, followed by the red cable from the working battery, and finally the red cable from the Honda Pilot's battery.

If the Honda Pilot's engine still doesn't start, there may be an underlying issue with the battery or electrical system that requires further diagnosis and repair.

What is the correct order to attach jumper cables?

First we'll hook our positive cable onto. The positive see the red cable mixed with the red. One. We'll hook our negative cable onto the negative battery terminal.

How to connect jumper cables to a Honda Pilot?

Grab your jumper cable and attach the red clamp to the positive post of the dead battery. Attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of the charged battery. Attach the black clamp to the negative pot of the charged battery. Take the final black clamp and hook it to an unpainted surface on your car's frame.

Where to put jumper cables on Honda?

Locate the positive or “+” terminal on the car with the dead battery, remove the plastic cover on the terminal if necessary, and attach one of the red clamps. Make sure to keep all ends of the jumper cable away from each other. Attach the other red clamp to the positive or “+” terminal on the car with the good battery.

How to start a Honda Pilot with a dead battery?

To start a Honda Pilot with a dead key fob battery, press the start/stop button with the fob itself after putting your foot on the brake. For a completely dead car battery, you will need to jump-start the Pilot using jumper cables and another vehicle or a jump starter pack. 
If the key fob battery is dead
This video shows how to start a Honda with a dead key fob battery: 30sFix and PlayYouTube · Oct 17, 2025

1. Locate the emergency key: Open your key fob by pressing the small release button and pulling out the physical key. There is a hidden keyhole in the driver's side door, as shown in this YouTube video. 
2. Unlock the door: Use the physical key to unlock the driver's side door. 
3. Start the car: Once inside, place your foot on the brake pedal. Then, press the start/stop button with the key fob itself, as shown in this YouTube video. 
4. Replace the fob battery: You will need to replace the battery in your key fob soon so you can use it normally. 

If the car battery is dead
You can watch this video to learn how to jump-start a Honda Pilot: 47sPYR Automotive YouTube · Mar 28, 2024

1. Park the donor car: Park the vehicle with the good battery close enough for the jumper cables to reach both batteries. 
2. Open both hoods: Locate the batteries in both vehicles. 
3. Connect the cables (in this order): 
   • Connect the red (positive) clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. 
   • Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. 
   • Connect the black (negative) clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. 
   • Connect the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block or frame of the vehicle with the dead battery, as shown in this YouTube video. This is often a good idea to avoid sparks near the battery itself. 
4. Start the donor car: Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes. 
5. Start the Honda Pilot: Start the engine of the Honda Pilot that had the dead battery. 
6. Disconnect the cables: Once the Pilot is running, disconnect the cables in the reverse order (black clamp from the frame, black clamp from the good battery, red clamp from the good battery, and finally, the red clamp from the Pilot's battery).