What to Do When Your Car Battery Is Dead
4 Answers
Check if the battery terminals are loose. Generally, car battery terminals have clips - inspect whether they're loose or corroded. If there's corrosion, it's recommended to clean it off, then try starting the engine again. First, you'll need to find another vehicle for jump-starting and properly connect the jumper cables between both cars. The red cable represents the positive terminal, while the black cable represents the negative terminal. Connect them directly to the corresponding terminals on both vehicles. After making the connections, start the rescue vehicle first, then attempt to power up and start the disabled vehicle.
Last time my battery died was in a mall parking lot, and the car just wouldn't start. Luckily, I always keep jumper cables in the trunk, so I found a kind-hearted driver to help jump-start it. The steps are simple: start the other car first, connect the red cable to both our battery positives (+), attach the black cable to the other car's negative (-) first, then clamp the other end to a metal part of my car (never directly to my battery's negative terminal). After starting, rev the engine for about ten minutes to charge before driving off. I went straight to the auto repair shop afterward, and the mechanic said the battery was old and couldn't hold a charge, so I replaced it directly. My advice: keep a set of jumper cables handy, and the thicker the metal clamps, the better they work.
Forgot to turn off the reading light overnight, and the battery died the next day. Called the insurance company, and they sent free roadside assistance. The technician arrived in ten minutes. He pulled out a palm-sized emergency jump starter, slightly larger than a power bank, connected two cables to the battery terminals, and my car started immediately. He said these portable jump starters are quite common now, available online for around 200 yuan, and keeping one in the glove compartment during winter—a high-risk season for battery drain—can be a lifesaver. However, after jump-starting, you need to drive for at least half an hour to let the alternator recharge the battery. A chronically drained battery might be permanently damaged and should be checked at a professional shop.
After leaving my car parked at the airport for a week, I found the battery dead upon return. My mechanic friend advised: A temporary power loss can be fixed with a jump start, but repeated dead batteries indicate it's nearing the end of its life. To check battery health, observe the starting voltage – if it's below 11V, replacement is usually needed. For long-term parking over two weeks, it's best to disconnect the negative terminal; choose dash cams with low-voltage protection; and avoid overloading the battery with aftermarket audio systems. Additionally, cold temperatures significantly reduce battery capacity – remember to start the engine for 20 minutes monthly when temperatures drop below freezing.
