You’ve been there. We’ve all been there. You slide into your car, slot the key into the ignition and… nothing. Your heart sinks, your stomach ties itself into a knot. Yes, the dreaded dead car battery.
A recent J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study found that a new car’s “most deteriorated areas from 90 days to three years of ownership are starter battery failures“. You’re not alone, battery problems are among the most common issues for car owners. Before you panic, try these six dead car battery tricks to get your car back on the road.
1. Engine Oil Check
If your engine won’t start, you might automatically assume the battery is dead but you can usually give it a boost by changing the oil. During colder weather, your engine oil moves slower and needs additional power from your battery.
Engine oil can also be tainted or expired which puts unnecessary strain on the battery. By making sure you have fresh engine oil, you can buy some time before you need to get a new battery.
2. Motor Wrench Tap
When you think about car repairs, you likely envision complicated machinery and unhidden wires snaking everywhere. You probably don’t think simply tapping the terminals could make a difference. A little tap can sometimes go a long way.
If your battery terminals seem to be covered in a strange substance like corrosion, a little tap is almost guaranteed to work. To combat corrosion inhibiting smooth current flow, gently tap the terminals with a wrench. Trace the big cable from your car battery’s positive terminal to the starter motor, then give it a firm tap.
This movement can dislodge some corrosion, allowing for better electrical contact. Much like the battery terminal, this motor wrench tap can sometimes unstick components and bring your car back to life.
3. Start The Car From Neutral
Our next trick takes us inside the car. You might not know it, but shifting gears can sometimes establish the necessary electrical contact to start your engine. Let’s consider an example. It’s a peaceful Sunday morning, and you’re planning to drive to the local farmers’ market. However, your car isn’t cooperating.
Instead of giving up and missing out on your fresh produce, you recall the third trick. Try starting the car in neutral. Shifting gears like this can potentially stimulate the neutral safety switch or transmission range selector, reestablishing the electrical contact needed for the car to start.
4. Fuel Pump Relay Swaps
There are times when your battery is doing its job perfectly and another sneaky component is the culprit. Open up the fuse box and locate the fuel pump relay. If you aren’t sure how to locate these, we give a broad overview in our guide on identifying types of automotive fuses.
When giving it a tap doesn’t do the trick, perform a full swap by pulling out the troublesome relay and replacing it. Many times a fuel pump relay swap will be the difference between an expensive trip to a mechanic and an easy DIY trick that takes 5 minutes. Similar to adding a fuse tap, most people assume it’s a lot harder than it actually is.
5. Use Jumper Cables on Car Battery
There’s the classic approach: the jumper cable method. It’s essentially just a method of tricking your car battery to charge:
Well, the idea of tricking a dead battery to charge it can be a bit misleading. Essentially, what we want to do is attempt to revive it enough to take a charge. One method is the ‘jumper cable’ trick, where you connect your dead battery to a running vehicle’s battery. Let it run for a few minutes to allow some charge to pass to your dead battery, then attempt to start your vehicle. Remember to always connect the positive terminals first, and then the negative ones.
We have a full guide on how to jump start your car in the rain which is way more complicated than using jumper cables into regular weather conditions, check it out if you’re not sure what to do.
6. Call Professionals
It’s time for the final tip – calling professionals. Reach out to a roadside assistance service to dispatch help to your location. It’s not the quickest or cheapest but it’s the most reliable, especially if you’re nervous about getting under the hood of your car and making sure your car is properly grounded.
Dealing with a dead car battery can be frustrating, even scary. But remember, you’re not powerless. With these six dead car battery tricks in your toolkit, you can face down a dead battery with confidence.
FAQ
Yes, you can usually boost a completely dead car battery, but the effectiveness will depend on how dead the battery is and how long it’s been dead. Using jumper cables connected to another car’s battery is a common way to provide the necessary boost. This method will help most batteries get enough juice to start the car.
Yes, dead car batteries can often be reconditioned or recycled. Some businesses specialize in battery reconditioning, restoring the battery to a functional state. In such cases, recycling is a great option. Car batteries contain several materials, like lead and sulfuric acid, which can be dangerous if disposed of improperly. Many auto parts stores and recycling centers will take your old battery and ensure that the materials are safely repurposed.
Sadly, yes. If a battery is extremely depleted or has been dead for a long period, it might not be able to hold a charge, rendering a jumpstart ineffective. Also, a battery can reach a state where internal damage or extreme corrosion prevents it from accepting a charge. In these cases, the best option is to replace the battery.
Car Battery Dead Tricks
Dealing with a car’s dead battery can be daunting, but with a handful of dead car battery tricks under your belt, it needn’t be an impossible task. From tapping the battery terminals to giving your engine block a good whack, there are ways to get yourself back on the road in no time.
Whether your dash cam was draining your battery or it died for another reason, these dead battery tips can help in a pinch. Sometimes tricks are just temporary solutions – if your battery consistently struggles to keep charge, or you often find yourself needing a jump start, it might be a sign that your battery needs to be replaced.
Regular checks can help you avoid the unfortunate scenario of finding yourself stranded with a dead battery. A local mechanic can assist you in getting your car up and running again, whether it’s by giving you a quick jump start or getting your battery replaced with a fresh battery. Remember, these dead car battery tricks are valuable but they aren’t a substitute for proper car maintenance.
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