What to Do When the Car Won't Start After Sitting for a Day?
2 Answers
If the car won't start after sitting for a day, it's mostly due to a dead battery, and replacing the battery should solve the issue. Here are some shutdown precautions: 1. Check the windows: When parking, ensure the front, rear windows, and sunroof are fully closed without any gaps. Otherwise, it may lead to theft. 2. Check the dashboard: If the dashboard lights are on when parking at night, don't forget to turn them off. Leaving the headlights on overnight will likely drain the battery by the next day. Charging it at this point may also reduce its lifespan. 3. Rain or snow weather: Check the wipers. In rain or snow, make sure the wipers are turned off. If parking outdoors in winter and forgetting to turn off the wipers, they may freeze to the windshield. Powering them on afterward could damage the motor.
Yesterday my car wouldn't start after being parked for just one day, which is quite a common issue mostly caused by battery aging or self-discharge. You can first ask a friend to jump-start your car - remember to connect the red clamp to the positive terminal and the black clamp to the negative terminal or metal frame of the other car, don't reverse them. After starting, don't turn off the engine immediately, drive to a repair shop for inspection. Car batteries typically last three years, replace it if it's expired. Turning off all lights and AC when parking can prevent this. If jump-starting doesn't work, it might be a faulty starter motor or fuel pump issue, then you'll need to call for roadside assistance. For safety, don't attempt this in the middle of the road as it may cause accidents. Regularly starting your car periodically can prevent this situation.
