Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to get to work or an important meeting, but your car wouldn't start? I have, and I'm guessing it'll eventually happen to you if it hasn't already. When such a situation arises, chances are that a dead or weak battery is the culprit.
why it dies or weakens
There are a number of reasons why batteries can weaken and fail. A few common ones include:who to call
If your battery does fail, there are a number of people and services you might want to turn to for assistance:Friends and family
It's likely that at least one person you know has jumper cables, or is available to give you a push (if you try to push-start your car) or give you a ride.Towing service
Call a towing service and they can take your car to a location where the battery can be recharged or replaced. Towing costs typically run $50 US or more, depending on the towing distance.Auto club
Membership in AAA or some other motor club can also prove useful when you have battery problems. Services that such groups provide can include jump-starting and towing. The cost of joining a motor club varies; membership in AAA, for example, costs around $60 annually.Manufacturer's roadside assistance
If you drive a newer vehicle that's still under warranty, chances are that you qualify for roadside assistance provided by the manufacturer. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual or contact your dealer for more information.what to do
The most common way to deal with a dead battery is by jump-starting it. All you need to jump-start a car is a set of jumper cables and another car (the "rescue" car) with a functional battery. Keep in mind that you should never try to jump-start a car if its battery is cracked and leaks acid.Jump-starting a car involves a number of steps:
Step 1: Park the "rescue" car and the car with the dead battery nose-to-nose, or side-by-side facing the same direction. Connect one end of the positive cable to the positive terminal on the "rescue" car's battery, and the other end to the positive terminal on the dead battery. (Note that the positive cable is usually red; the negative cable is black.)
Step 2: Connect one end of the negative cable to the negative terminal on the "rescue" car's battery, and the other end to the negative terminal on the dead battery.
Step 3: Start the "rescue" car and allow it to run for a few minutes; doing so will allow its battery to recharge the dead battery.
Step 4: Shut off the "rescue" car and attempt to start the car with the dead battery; if the car doesn't start, repeat step 3.
If the car with the dead battery starts, allow its engine to run for at least a few minutes so that the alternator can recharge the battery. Disconnect the jumper cables from both cars in the reverse order in which you connected them. Make sure that you don't let any of the cables' extremities touch, as it may create a spark.
jump-start your car
In the event that you're unable to jump-start your car and your car has a manual transmission, you may be able to get your car running by push-starting it. To do this:Step 1: Turn the ignition key to the "on" position, put the car in first gear, and hold the clutch pedal to the floor; second gear may also work, but it's best to use first gear.
Step 2: Push the car forward or have someone else push the car forward.
Step 3: When the car is rolling, let the clutch pedal out quickly; doing so should make the engine start.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 if push-starting doesn't work the first time.
If you car still won't start after several attempts at jump-starting or push-starting it, it's likely that you'll need a new battery or new alternator. You only need to replace the alternator if that's what caused the battery to fail.
what to have handy
Jumper cablesIt's always a good idea to keep jumper cables in your car. They can prove useful in the event that your car needs a jump-start, or in cases where you may need to jump-start someone else's vehicle. Jumper cables cost approximately $10, and should be available at any automotive supply store. They come in different lengths, but a 12-foot cable is fairly standard.
Voltmeter
You may also want to keep a voltmeter in your car to test its battery. Voltmeters typically run about $15, and are also available at auto parts stores.
Charger
At home, it's always a good idea to have an AC charger handy. You can use such a device when your car's battery dies or becomes too weak to start the car. Like jumper cables and voltmeters, chargers are available where car parts are sold, and prices start at $40.
It's a good idea to hang on to receipts when you purchase car batteries. They are necessary if you ever need to return your battery, and can help you get small discounts on the purchase of new batteries.
be prepared
There are many reasons why car batteries can fail and sometimes leave us stranded. Fortunately, there are a number of ways we can prevent our batteries from failing, and, in worst-case scenarios, there are ways to get ourselves back on the road if they do fail us.Resources:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/jumpstart.htm
http://www.michaelholigan.com/Departments/HowTo/HowToPage.asp?ts_id=ath200
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq6.htm
http://www.csaa.com/membership/benefitssavings/0,1339,1006010100,00.html
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