How to Start an Automatic Car with a Dead Battery?
3 Answers
There are three methods to start an automatic car with a dead battery: 1. Jump-start method: This method works for both manual and automatic cars. First, open the hoods of both cars. Connect the negative terminal of the jumper cable to the negative terminal of your car's battery and the other end to the negative terminal of the other car's battery. Similarly, connect the positive terminal of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of your car's battery and the other end to the positive terminal of the other car's battery. Then, start the other car and rev the engine slightly. Next, try starting your car. If the issue is indeed a dead battery, your car should start quickly. After starting, keep the engine running for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery. Once started, first disconnect the positive terminal from the other car, then remove the cables from your car. The negative terminals should be disconnected in the same order—first from the other car, then from yours. 2. Towing method: This method follows the same principle as the first one, but instead of pushing from behind, the car is pulled from the front. This method is generally less strenuous. First, secure a sturdy tow rope and firmly tie the front and rear of both cars together. Then, begin towing to start the car. Ensure a slow and steady start, maintaining safe speeds for both vehicles and paying attention to road safety. Once the towed car starts, promptly notify the towing car and slowly pull over to the roadside to park. 3. Call for roadside assistance: This is the last resort. If the above methods fail, contact roadside assistance. You can find roadside assistance numbers online or keep a roadside assistance card handy.
I've encountered a dead battery in an automatic car several times, and there are tricks to solving it. First, don't rush to force a start—that can damage the engine, especially since automatic transmissions don't support push-starting. Quickly find a friend or neighbor with a car to help jump-start: align both cars while they're off, connect the jumper cables positive-to-positive and negative to a metal part of your engine to prevent sparks. After jump-starting the helper car, let the engine run for at least five minutes before trying yours. If successful, don’t turn off the engine immediately—drive for at least half an hour to recharge the battery. Regularly check battery health, like inspecting terminals for corrosion every other week, and replace it if undercharged to avoid roadside breakdowns. Carrying a portable charger is also handy, and they’re cheap to buy online.
When the car battery is dead and you need to start an automatic transmission vehicle, the most common method I use is jump-starting. Find a functioning car, drive it close, and turn it off. Use professional jumper cables, ensuring the correct connection sequence: first, attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of your car's battery, then to the positive terminal of the other car; attach the black clamp to the negative terminal of the other car, and finally connect it to your engine bracket to avoid a short circuit. Start the rescue car and let it run for two to three minutes, then start your car for a high success rate. For automatic transmission vehicles, ensure the parking gear is correctly engaged to prevent accidental movement. If jumper cables are not available, try a portable power source or a smart charger—connect it and charge for about an hour before attempting to start. Regularly check the battery's lifespan; replace it early if it's aging to save a lot of trouble. Keeping an emergency toolkit in the car, including anti-corrosion spray, is very practical.
