What is what to do when your battery dies?

Here's what to do when your car battery dies:

• Jump Starting: The most common solution is to jump start your car using jumper cables and another vehicle with a working battery. To do this safely, follow these steps:

  1. Position the cars close enough so that the jumper cables can reach both batteries, but don't let the cars touch.

  2. Turn off both cars.

  3. Connect the positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.

  4. Connect the other positive (red) clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery.

  5. Connect the negative (black) clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery.

  6. Connect the final negative (black) clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car's engine block, away from the battery. This grounds the circuit and minimizes the risk of sparks near the battery.

  7. Start the car with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes.

  8. Try starting the car with the dead battery. If it starts, let both cars run for several minutes to allow the dead battery to charge.

  9. Carefully disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order that you connected them.

  • Important: Review the proper steps for Jump%20Starting your vehicle.

• Call for Assistance: If you're not comfortable jump starting your car, or if it doesn't work, call for roadside assistance. Many auto insurance policies or auto clubs (like AAA) offer this service. They can jump start your car, provide a tow, or even replace your battery on the spot. Find further information regarding Roadside%20Assistance.

• Battery Replacement: If your battery keeps dying, it's likely that it needs to be replaced. A mechanic can test your battery and charging system to confirm if this is the case. You can also purchase a new battery and install it yourself if you have the necessary tools and know-how. See more about Battery%20Replacement.

• Consider a Portable Jump Starter: A portable jump starter is a self-contained device that can jump start your car without needing another vehicle. These are a good option to have on hand, especially in cold weather when batteries are more likely to fail. Learn about Portable%20Jump%20Starter details.

• Diagnosis: If your car starts after a jump but dies soon after or struggles to start again later, have a mechanic check your car's charging system (alternator) and battery for any underlying issues. Consider Car%20Diagnosis.