What Are Remote Battery Terminals on a Car?

As engine compartments become more compact in cars and trucks, manufacturers are placing batteries in remote spots. This makes accessing them difficult. To rectify this, auto companies install remote jumper battery terminals so you can more easily connect jumper cables in an emergency.

Here, we’ll explain where yours might be and how to safely access them.

Where Are Remote Battery Terminals Located?

Bob Lacivita for Family Handyman

Typically, remote battery terminals are deliberately placed away from the battery. If your vehicle comes with negative (-) and positive (+) remote terminals, they’re generally close to each other, in these locations:

• Under the hood, attached to the back of the engine compartment panel (firewall) that separates the engine from the passenger compartment;
• Under the hood, attached to a strut tower;
• Near the under-hood fuse box or relay center;
• In the trunk or frunk, usually behind plastic trim panels.
• Behind a removable bumper plug.

Your owner’s manual can tell you where to find your battery and remote terminals.

What Do Remote Battery Terminals Look Like?

They look like traditional battery terminals, only beefier.

Negative terminals feature the industry standard negative (-) symbol, and the letters “GRN” for ground. They may resemble a standard hex bolt with a thick wire connected to it, or a six-sided two-inch-long hexagon shaped bolt head with a two-inch-diameter base screwed onto a fender, firewall or strut tower. They also may have a cover.

The positive (+) remote battery terminals will have a red plastic cover, with a large embossed (+) symbol. Never connect jumper cables to any other connectors.

Remote Battery Terminal Maintenance

Remote battery terminals require minimal maintenance, but you should check them as part of your annual maintenance service.

Negative (-) remote terminal

• Make sure it hasn’t oxidized or corroded. Remove the terminal and clean with a wire brush or sandpaper. Securely tighten the terminal when reinstalling.
• Make sure all fasteners, wire lugs and mounting/attaching threads aren’t corroded or come loose from vibrations. Clean wire lugs the same as a traditional battery cable.

Positive (+) remote terminal

• Same as above. However, remove the negative terminal directly from the battery and cover with electrical or duct tape to eliminate sparking or a short circuit before servicing the positive terminal.

How To Connect Jumper Cables To Remote Battery Terminals

Follow these steps when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery. Always use a quality set of jumper cables or a spark-proof portable jump starter with reverse polarity protection.

Caution: Always wear gloves and eye protection. Never attempt to jump-start a frozen battery and never smoke when working near a battery. Sparks can cause a frozen battery to explode. If you come into contact with battery acid, flush with plenty of water and get medical attention immediately.

1. Safely position the vehicles to connect the jumper cables: To prevent a short circuit, never let the vehicles touch. Place the transmissions of both vehicles into park or neutral and set the parking brakes. Switch off all lights and accessories in both vehicles. Make sure all battery terminals are clean and tight.
2. Connect the positive (+) clamps: Attach one red positive jump starter or jumper cable clamp to the dead battery’s positive remote battery terminal. Attach the other end of the positive jumper cable to the positive terminal of the helper vehicle battery.
3. Connect the negative (-) clamps: Attach one black jumper cable clamp to the helper battery’s negative battery terminal. Attach the other end of the negative jumper cable or jump starter to the remote negative battery terminal. NEVER connect the black jumper or jump starter cable clamp directly to the dead battery’s negative terminal.
4. Start the helper vehicle: Keep the jumper cables or jump starter away from moving parts. Start the helper vehicle and leave it running for five minutes to charge the dead battery.
5. Start the vehicle with the dead battery: Once the vehicle with the dead battery starts, leave the cables connected to the helper car or jump starter for 30 seconds. If it doesn’t start, shut off the helper vehicle’s engine, recheck all cable connections, wait five minutes and try again.

It’s absolutely critical to remove the cables in the exact reverse sequence:

• Negative (-) cable from the vehicle that was dead.
• Negative (-) cable from the helper vehicle.
• Positive (+) cable from the helper vehicle.
• Positive (+) cable from the vehicle that was dead.