Tricks to start your car when the battery is dead

Dealing with a dead car battery can be an extremely frustrating experience, especially if you are in a rush to get somewhere. It’s common for car batteries to die unexpectedly, but fortunately, there are a number of tricks you can use to start your car when the battery is dead.

Before you attempt to start your car, it’s crucial to determine the root cause of the dead battery. This will help you determine if a quick jumpstart will do the trick or if you need to replace the battery entirely. Additionally, understanding the cause of the dead battery can help you prevent it from happening again in the future.

In this article, we’ll share some of the most effective tricks for starting your car when the battery is dead. From jumpstarting to using alternative power sources, these tips can help you get back on the road in no time.

Tricks to Start Your Car When the Battery is Dead

Jump Start Your Car

If your battery is dead, the simplest method to start the car is by jumpstarting it. To do this, you will need another car with a good battery and a set of jumper cables. Connect the positive (+) cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery and connect the other end to the positive terminal of the good battery. Then, connect the negative (-) cable to the negative terminal of the good battery and connect the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block of the dead car. Start the car with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes, then try starting the dead car. If it still won’t start, try letting it run for a few more minutes before trying again.

Use a Portable Jump Starter

If you don’t have access to another car or jumper cables, a portable jump starter can be a lifesaver. These devices are compact and can easily fit in your glove box. They work by connecting them to your dead battery and jumpstarting it with the stored energy in the device. It’s important to keep this device charged as you don’t want it to be dead when you need it the most.

Push Start Your Car

If you drive a manual transmission car, you can try push-starting it. With the key in the ignition and the clutch pressed all the way down, have someone push the car to get it moving and then slowly release the clutch. However, this method won’t work for automatic transmission cars.

Call for Help

If none of the above methods work, it’s time to call for help. You can call a tow truck to have your car towed to a repair shop or dealership to get a new battery. If you have roadside assistance, they can also send someone to jumpstart your car or provide a new battery.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to keep your car’s battery well-maintained by checking its charge level and connections regularly. This will help prevent unexpected dead batteries in the future.

Method 1: Jump-start the Vehicle

Step 1: Get the Necessary Tools

Before attempting to jump-start your vehicle, you’ll need a few tools: jumper cables, a functioning vehicle with a charged battery, and safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection.

Step 2: Position the Vehicles

Park the working vehicle close enough to your disabled vehicle that the jumper cables can reach both batteries. Make sure both vehicles are in park and turned off.

Step 3: Connect the Jumper Cables

• Attach the red (positive) cable clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
• Attach the other red (positive) cable clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery.
• Attach the black (negative) cable clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
• Attach the other black (negative) cable clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead vehicle’s engine block.

Step 4: Start the Working Vehicle

Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to allow the battery to charge the dead battery.

Step 5: Start the Disabled Vehicle

Attempt to start the disabled vehicle. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes for the battery to charge before trying again.

Step 6: Disconnect the Jumper Cables

• Disconnect the black (negative) cable clamp from the dead vehicle’s engine block.
• Disconnect the other black (negative) cable clamp from the negative terminal of the working battery.
• Disconnect the other red (positive) cable clamp from the positive terminal of the working battery.
• Disconnect the first red (positive) cable clamp from the positive terminal of the dead battery.

Once the jumper cables are removed, drive the vehicle that was previously dead around for at least 30 minutes to allow the battery to fully charge.

Method 2: Push-start the Car

Step 1: Find a Safe Area

Before attempting to push-start your car, make sure you’re in a safe area where you can freely push the car without any hazards. Look for a flat and open space with no obstacles.

Step 2: Get Some Help

You’ll need to enlist the help of at least one other person to push your car. Make sure they are physically capable of pushing the car with ease and that they understand your instructions.

Step 3: Get in the Driver’s Seat

Get in the driver’s seat and turn the ignition key to the “on” position, but do not start the engine. Then, push the clutch pedal to the floor and shift to second gear.

Step 4: Begin Pushing the Car

With your helpers pushing the car from behind, release the clutch pedal all at once. The momentum from pushing will cause the engine to turn and start. As soon as the engine starts, press down on the gas pedal to keep it running.

Note: This method works best with manual transmission cars. It may not work with automatic transmission cars.

Method 3: Use a Portable Jump Starter

A portable jump starter can be a lifesaver when your car battery is dead and you don’t have access to another vehicle for a jump start.

Step 1: Make sure your portable jump starter is fully charged before using it.

Step 2: Locate your car’s battery and connect the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the battery.

Step 3: Connect the black jumper cable to the negative terminal of the battery or a metal part of the engine block away from the battery.

Step 4: Turn on the portable jump starter and wait a few minutes for it to charge the battery.

Step 5: Try starting your car. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Step 6: Once your car starts, remove the jumper cables in the opposite order you connected them. Remove the black cable from the car first, then the red cable.

Using a portable jump starter is a safe and easy way to start your car when your battery is dead. Keep one in your car in case of emergencies.