How to Jump-Start a Push-to-Start (Keyless) Car

By ShoulderCrew · Updated October 27, 2026 · Denver, Colorado

Keyless and push-to-start cars are jumped the same way as any other car, but a dead battery adds a few extra problems: getting in, getting the fob recognized, and finding the jump points. Here is how to handle each one.

Step 1: Get into the car

If the key fob will not unlock the car, the fob battery may be dead, or the car's battery may be so low the locks do not respond. Most fobs hide a physical key: look for a small release button or latch on the fob. Many cars hide the keyhole under a cap on the driver's door handle, and you can pop the cap off with the key tip. Your owner's manual shows the exact spot.

Step 2: Find the jump points

Some cars have the battery under the hood. Others place it in the trunk, under a seat, or in a wheel well, and provide remote jump terminals under the hood, often a red plastic cap marked + near the fuse box, plus a bare metal bolt or bracket for ground. Check the manual or the label on the fuse box lid. Using the wrong spot can damage the electronics.

Step 3: Jump the car

Follow the same order as any jump: red to positive on the dead car, red to positive on the good car, black to negative on the good car, and the last black to bare metal ground on the dead car. We walk through it in how to jump-start a car. Let the helping car run a few minutes before you try the start button.

Step 4: Start it the right way

• Sit in the driver's seat with the fob inside the car.
• Press and hold the brake pedal (or clutch on a manual), then press the start button.
• If the car says key not detected and will not start, hold the fob right against the start button. Many cars have a backup antenna in that spot that can read the fob even when its battery is dead. Some cars have a specific slot or tray for the fob instead, so check the manual.

Hybrids and electric vehicles

Hybrids and EVs rely on a small 12-volt battery to wake up the car, even though the big battery runs the drive system. A dead 12-volt battery makes the car look completely dead. Many can be jump-started at the designated 12-volt terminals, but never connect to orange cables or high-voltage parts. Some manufacturers do not recommend using the car to jump other vehicles at all. When in doubt, use a portable jump pack and the manual's instructions, or call a helper.

Do not push-start it

Push-starting only works with some manual cars, and it will not work on a push-button start car. Automatics cannot be push-started, and trying can damage the car or hurt someone.

Why does a keyless car die so easily?

Keyless cars keep electronics awake all the time to listen for the fob, and they have more modules and sensors. A short trip, a weak battery, or leaving a charger plugged in can drain the battery faster than you would expect, especially in cold weather. If your car has died more than once, have the battery and charging system tested.