You’re running late to work. After rushing around to get ready, you jump in your car and turn the key.
Maybe you hear a clicking noise. The engine might crank but won’t turn over. Maybe nothing happens at all.
No matter which scenario you find yourself in, you know you’re dealing with a dead battery. Of course, it only happens at the most inopportune times. So, what do you do now?
There are several dead car battery tricks you can try to get your vehicle running again. Continue reading to learn what those are.
1. Tap the Battery Terminals
While you can’t clean the battery terminals if you’re stuck without the right tools, you can try tapping them. Jarring the terminal’s positions might help give the battery a better connection.
2. Try Starting the Car in Neutral
Moving the shifter can sometimes help establish electrical contact inside the neutral safety switch. This is also sometimes referred to as the transmission range selector. Try starting the car in neutral to see if it helps.
3. Trick the Computer
Certain situations can cause the air to fuel mixture to be too lean for a cold engine. Common scenarios that might cause this include a bad temperature sensor or a vacuum leak.
You can try tricking the computer into giving the engine more fuel when starting. Do this by pressing the accelerator halfway before starting the engine. It may take a few tries for this to work.
4. Use Jumper Cables
It’s recommended everyone keeps a set of jumper cables in their car. If you don’t have them, however, you can try borrowing some from someone nearby. You’ll also need to flag down someone to help you jump the dead battery.
Remember to connect the positive cables and the negative cables to the appropriate parts of the battery. The running engine should rev a bit before you try starting the dead engine.
5. Call a Professional
When all else fails, you can call a professional to help get your dead battery going. While this option may take a little longer, it’s also guaranteed to work. Many different roadside assistance programs offer car jumping.
Sometimes, what appears to be a dead car battery is actually something more serious. In these scenarios, you may need to call a tow truck company to get your car home (if it isn’t already) or to the mechanic of your choice.
Do You Have More Questions About Dead Car Battery Tricks?
It’s frustrating when your car won’t start. Thankfully, these five dead car battery tricks can help you get back on the road with limited stress.
Do you have more questions about dead car battery tricks? Or, do you need professional assistance in getting your car moving again?
Contact us today. One of our associates would be happy to answer any questions you may have. They can also help get you a tow if desired.