What to Do When the Car Battery Fails and the Car Won't Start?
3 Answers
Solutions for when the car battery fails and the car won't start: 1. Towing Start Method: Use a tow rope of appropriate length to securely fasten the non-starting vehicle and the rescue vehicle at both ends; 2. Manual Push Start Method: Engage the first gear and slowly release the clutch, using the turning force of the wheels to drive the engine flywheel; 3. Jumper Cable Assistance Method: Clamp the jumper cables onto the non-starting vehicle and the rescue vehicle respectively. Car battery maintenance methods: 1. Avoid parking the car in an open parking lot for extended periods to prevent the battery from freezing and getting damaged; 2. Car engines are harder to start in winter, so each attempt to start the car should not exceed 5 seconds, with an interval of at least 15 seconds between attempts.
I've experienced several car battery failures. I remember one weekend trip when the car suddenly wouldn't start midway, and the dashboard lights were very dim—this usually indicates an aging battery or excessive discharge. I happened to have a portable jump starter with me, connected it directly to the battery terminals, and got the car started in one go. But it's quite annoying when you don't have tools—you either have to find someone to help push-start the car or use jumper cables to connect to another vehicle's battery terminals to start the engine. After that incident, I immediately went to a repair shop for a check-up and found some corrosion on the battery terminals. Cleaning them provided a temporary fix. I recommend keeping some emergency tools in the car, like a jump starter or cables. Also, avoid running the AC or stereo for extended periods when parked to prevent draining the battery. If this issue occurs frequently, it might mean the battery has reached the end of its lifespan, and replacing it—costing around 1,000 RMB—should solve the problem.
From a technical perspective, a dead battery causing failure to start is commonly due to battery aging or deep discharge. For example, after parking overnight, the voltage drops below 12 volts, and there isn't even a cranking sound. Don't panic in this situation. First, check if the dashboard lights are on—if not, it's likely a battery issue. The most reliable solution is jump-starting: find another car, ensure both engines are off, connect the red clamp to the positive terminal of the other car's battery, then to yours. Next, attach the black clamp to the negative terminal of the other car's battery, and finally to your engine's grounding point or negative terminal. After starting, wait a few minutes to let your battery charge. If jump-starting isn't an option, manual transmission vehicles can try push-starting or rolling down a slope, but automatic transmissions will require a tow truck. For long-term prevention, check the electrolyte level every three months and use a charger to top it up. Typically, batteries should be replaced every two years.
