Car Won't Start Due to Dead Battery
3 Answers
Solutions for a dead battery are as follows: 1. Replace the vehicle's battery; 2. Use an emergency power source to start the vehicle; 3. Alternatively, start the vehicle by jump-starting it. Below is an introduction to the jump-starting method: 1. First, prepare two jumper cables. 2. Then, find a vehicle that can operate normally and position the front ends of both vehicles facing each other. 3. Secure the jumper cables to the batteries, connecting positive to positive and negative to negative, then start the functioning vehicle. 4. Next, start the vehicle that needs the jump-start, and quickly disconnect the cables once it starts to complete the jump-start process.
A dead battery is the most common reason for a car not starting, something I often encountered when I was younger, especially more noticeable in winter. Battery aging or leaving lights on can drain the power, particularly for old batteries over three years old. The solution is simple: first, find someone to drive over and jump-start your car. Prepare two cables, attach the red one to the positive terminal (the + sign on the battery) and the black one to the negative terminal (the - sign). Connect the cables to the assisting car first, then to your car to avoid short-circuit sparks. After starting, let the engine run for 20 minutes to recharge. For prevention: regularly check the battery's date label, and replace it if it's expired or frequently dead. Opt for AGM or EFB types for better durability. Before long trips, test the voltage—it's best to have it above 12.6V to prevent unexpected issues.
I ran into this exact situation last week - couldn't start the car right after leaving home, and sure enough the battery was dead, probably from leaving the ambient lights on all night. Don't panic in such cases - the most practical solution is to find someone to jumpstart your car. Park both vehicles nose-to-nose, connect the red cable to both positive terminals, attach the black cable to the donor car's negative terminal first, then connect it to your car's metal frame to prevent static. Once the engine starts, drive for about half an hour to recharge. After this incident, I bought a portable jump starter for the trunk - no more worries. Also, battery capacity drops faster in cold weather, so regularly check its health with a multimeter - replace it if voltage falls below 12V. Make it a habit to turn off all electronics - it's both safer and gives peace of mind.
