You turn the key in your car and it starts but the engine does not crank. You think to yourself, “I wonder if my car battery is dead”. This might sound like a silly question, but it’s not always that straightforward. If your car battery has been sitting for a while without being used, the acid inside of it will start to discharge. Once the battery reaches a point where it can no longer take a charge, it’s officially dead and needs to be replaced. While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, it can actually lead to some major problems down the road. If your car battery dies when you’re out on the road and you have to get towed back to your house, you’re going to be pretty upset with yourself. So next time you have a question about your car battery, don’t just assume that it’s dead—check out the voltage first!
What Causes Car Battery to Die?
If your car battery goes dead, it’s not the end of the world. While a car battery won’t last forever, most batteries can be replaced relatively cheaply and quickly. Here are some common causes of car battery death and how to prevent them.
One of the most common reasons car batteries die is due to a drained cell. This happens when you run your car without using the battery for a period of time, like when you’re in your garage or parked at home for an extended period of time. When you come back to use your car, the battery isn’t able to supply power as quick as it used to because there is now a built up backlog of power that needs to be released. This can lead to cells getting drained and eventually causing the battery to fail.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you regularly use your car’s battery by either driving it or leaving it plugged in when not in use. Additionally, never leave your vehicle running with the engine off if you can avoid it – this will also help conserve energy and keep your battery healthy.
How to Restart a Dead Car Battery
If your car battery is dead, there are a few ways to restart it. The most common method is to use the key in the ignition and turn it all the way off; then you can start the car by turning the key all the way on. Another way is to use a jump box. If you don’t have a jump box, you can also connect jumper cables from another vehicle to the battery and power source of your car.
What to Do If Your Car Battery is Dead and You Can’t Start It
If your car battery is dead and you can’t start it, the easiest thing to do is to call a tow truck. Assuming that your car is parked in a safe location, if your car has an immobilizer or security system, you may need the key to disable it before the tow truck can remove your car. If there’s no key available and you don’t want to leave your car stranded, there are a few things you can do:
-Remove all of the accessories from your car and try starting it again. If that still doesn’t work, try disconnecting all of the cables attached to the battery (the negative cable and the AC cord) and see if that helps.
-If neither of these solutions works, try opening up the hood and disconnecting both cables from beneath the battery. Make sure to put everything back together correctly before reattaching them underneath the battery.
-If none of these solutions work, you’ll have to call a tow truck.
How to Check If Your Car Battery is Good Quality
If your car battery is good quality, you shouldn’t have to worry about it dying anytime soon. However, there are a few ways to check if your battery is still holding up:
-Check the car’s battery voltage. This should be around 12 volts, but could be lower depending on how old the battery is and how much charge it has been storing. If the voltage drops below 10 volts, it may be time to replace the battery.
-Test the car’s starting abilities by trying to start the engine without using the key first. If the engine starts right away, then the battery is probably in good condition. If not, it might be time for a new one.
-See if there are any warning signs that indicate your battery is failing. This includes decreased power levels or reduced lifespan.