What to Do When the Car Battery Is Dead?
4 Answers
Use jumper cables to start the car's battery, then let the engine idle for a while, and the car's alternator will naturally recharge the battery. Fully charge the battery, then discharge it, and recharge it again to restore the battery to its original state. Use a positive-negative pulse method to depolarize the battery during charging, then fully discharge it. Once fully recharged, the battery will return to normal. Open the top cover of the battery to find six small holes. Add battery replenishment fluid into these holes until it reaches the marked line, then let it sit for four to five hours.
That time my car broke down on the roadside, I thought it was a dead battery and quickly checked the causes. Common issues include leaving headlights on, long-term parking, or battery aging. I used jumper cables to ask a neighbor for help: turn off both cars, connect the red cable to the positive terminals of both cars, the black cable to the ground or negative of the dead battery car, then start the assisting car, wait a few minutes before trying to start mine. If successful, drive around for half an hour to let the alternator charge. If the battery keeps dying, it's time for a replacement, usually after 3-5 years of service. To prevent this, I've developed a habit of checking all devices are off after parking, taking a weekly drive to let the alternator work, and avoiding prolonged discharge in cold temperatures. Keeping an emergency jump starter in the car is also very practical.
A dead battery is typically caused by excessive discharge or electrical issues, such as leaving interior lights on or alternator failure. The solution is simple: seek help from another driver or use a jump starter. When jump-starting, first turn off both vehicles, connect the red clamp to the positive terminal, and the black clamp to the frame of the dead battery car. After starting the rescue vehicle, wait a few minutes before starting the dead battery car. Once started, drive for at least 20 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. Check if the alternator is working properly by ensuring the dashboard voltage reads between 13-14V. If battery drain occurs frequently, it's advisable to test the battery's health and consider replacing it. Installing a monitoring tool can help prevent over-discharge in daily use.
Last time my car wouldn't start, and the diagnosis was a dead battery. A friend came to help with jumper cables: both cars were parked and turned off, he connected the red wire to both positive terminals, and the black wire to my car's engine mount. After starting his car, we tried mine and it worked. I immediately drove to the repair shop to check the battery's condition, and replaced it if it was old. To prevent this, avoid leaving the car unused for long periods and ensure you drive it monthly to recharge the battery.
