What to Do When the Car Battery Dies?
3 Answers
Methods to deal with a dead car battery: 1. Use a portable car emergency power bank to start the car: Compared to a car emergency jump starter, a portable car emergency power bank is much cheaper, compact, easy to carry, and can also charge mobile phones or other electronic devices; 2. Push-start the car: Before pushing, the drivers of both vehicles should agree on communication signals to coordinate their actions; 3. Use a car emergency power supply: You can keep an emergency power supply in your car, so you don't have to wait for help from another vehicle when the battery dies. Additionally, this emergency power supply can serve multiple purposes, such as cooking, boiling water, and lighting.
My car battery has died several times, and each time I remain calm. The first step is to find help, using jumper cables to connect to another car's battery—red clamp to the positive terminal and black clamp to the negative terminal. Then, let the other car run its engine for a few minutes before starting my car. After that, I immediately drive for at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery. If no one is available to help, I call roadside assistance or my insurance company. Later, I check the cause, such as whether I left the lights on or if the battery is old—typically, a car battery lasts 3-5 years and needs replacement. For prevention, I make it a habit to turn off all electronics before shutting off the engine and regularly check the voltage with a multimeter. If the voltage drops below 12 volts, I recharge or replace the battery.
As a frequent driver, I've dealt with this situation. First, ensure the vehicle is safely parked, turn on the hazard lights, and avoid blocking traffic on the main road. Then prepare a set of jumper cables and find someone to help connect the positive and negative terminals of the car battery—make sure not to reverse the order, as it may damage the equipment. Once done, start the engine and let the car run for a while to recharge. Check if the battery is aging or if there are any power leakage issues, such as leaving the lights on during the day. For prevention, I inspect the battery's health every season change to avoid easier power loss in winter's low temperatures. Developing the habit of turning off car lights can save a lot of hassle.
