What to Do When the Car Battery Dies?
2 Answers
Manual transmission vehicles can be started by push-starting. Specifically, you can engage the 2nd or 3rd gear, press the clutch, push the car to a certain speed, and then release the clutch. If the battery is completely dead, you can use jumper cables to connect to another car's battery for an emergency start. When connecting the jumper cables, do not reverse the connection order. Connect the positive terminal of the dead battery to the positive terminal of the rescue car's battery. After connecting the jumper cables, start the rescue car's engine and slightly increase the engine speed. Charge the dead battery for about 5 minutes in emergency mode.
Last week when I was driving, my car suddenly lost power and wouldn't start at all, which was really stressful. This is usually caused by an aging battery or leaving lights on that drain the battery. First, I parked in a safe spot and checked if the headlights and interior lights were on; if not, I looked for another car to help. When using jumper cables, it's crucial to connect red to positive and black to negative or a metal part of the car body to avoid short-circuit risks. If no one was around, I called roadside assistance. To prevent this, I recommend checking the battery's condition every six months, looking for corrosion on the terminals, and applying anti-corrosion grease after cleaning. Keeping a portable charger or emergency jump starter in the car is also practical to avoid future mishaps. If the car isn't used for long periods, it's best to start the engine every two weeks and let it run for a while to recharge the battery, ensuring the car is always ready to go.
