Dead Car Battery Tricks (Get Back on the Road Fast)

If you’ve ever found yourself stranded with a dead car battery, you know how frustrating it can be. Whether you left your lights on overnight or your battery is just old and worn out, a dead battery can put a damper on your day. However, there are several dead car battery tricks you can try to get your car started again without having to call for a tow truck or a jump start.

Understanding Car Batteries

If you own a car, then you know that the battery is one of the most important components. It provides the necessary power to start the engine and run the electrical systems. Here’s what you need to know about car batteries:

Voltage

Car batteries are designed to provide a voltage of 12 volts. This voltage is necessary to start the engine and power the electrical systems. If the voltage drops below 12 volts, then the battery may not have enough power to start the engine.

Temperature Sensor

The temperature sensor is an important component of the car’s engine control module (ECM). It measures the temperature of the engine and sends this information to the ECM. If the temperature sensor fails, then the ECM may not allow the car to start.

Electrolyte Levels

The electrolyte levels in a car battery are important for the battery’s performance. The electrolyte is a mixture of water and sulfuric acid that is used to generate the electrical energy. If the electrolyte levels are low, then the battery may not have enough power to start the engine.

Car Battery Maintenance

To ensure that your car battery lasts as long as possible, you should perform regular maintenance. This includes checking the electrolyte levels, cleaning the battery terminals, and ensuring that the battery is securely fastened in place.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that the first car batteries were made of glass jars filled with a mixture of sulfuric acid and lead? These batteries were not very reliable and could easily leak or break. Today's car batteries are much more advanced and reliable.

Common Causes of Dead Car Batteries

If you have ever found yourself stranded with a dead car battery, you know how frustrating it can be. Dead car batteries can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are preventable. Here are some of the most common causes of dead car batteries:

• Forgetting to turn off electrical components: Leaving your headlights, interior lights, or other electrical components on when you exit your vehicle can drain your battery quickly. Always double-check that everything is turned off before you leave your car.
• Corrosion: Corrosion can build up on your battery terminals over time, preventing your battery from charging properly. Keep your battery terminals clean and free of corrosion to prevent this from happening.
• Cold weather: Cold weather can cause your battery to lose its charge more quickly. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider investing in a battery heater or parking your car in a garage to keep your battery warm.
• Power outage: If there is a power outage in your area, it can cause your battery to drain quickly if your car is plugged in or if your battery is connected to a battery tender. Be aware of power outages in your area and disconnect your battery if necessary.

Essential Tools for Dealing with Dead Car Batteries

Dealing with a dead car battery can be frustrating, especially if you’re in a hurry. However, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. Here are some essential tools you should have in your car to deal with dead car batteries.

Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are an essential tool for jump-starting a dead car battery. They allow you to connect your car’s battery to another car’s battery, providing the necessary power to start your car. When using jumper cables, make sure to connect the positive and negative terminals correctly to avoid damaging your car’s electrical system.

Portable Jump Starter

A portable jump starter is an excellent alternative to jumper cables. It’s a battery booster pack that can jump-start your car without the need for another vehicle. Portable jump starters are small and compact, making them easy to store in your car. They’re also a safer option than jumper cables since they don’t require another car to be present.

Battery Booster Pack

A battery booster pack is another battery-powered device that can jump-start your car. It’s similar to a portable jump starter, but it’s designed to provide more power. Battery booster packs are great for larger vehicles or if your car’s battery is completely dead. However, they can be more expensive than portable jump starters.

Mechanic

If you’re not comfortable dealing with dead car batteries on your own, it’s always a good idea to have a mechanic’s number on hand. They can come to your location and jump-start your car or replace your battery if necessary. It’s also a good idea to have a mechanic inspect your car’s electrical system to ensure there are no underlying issues causing your battery to die.

Toothbrush

Believe it or not, a toothbrush can be a useful tool for dealing with dead car batteries. Over time, battery terminals can become corroded, preventing a good connection. Using a toothbrush and some baking soda can help clean the terminals and restore a proper connection.

Practical Tricks to Revive a Dead Car Battery

If you find yourself in a situation where your car battery is dead, don’t panic. There are several practical tricks that you can use to revive it. Here are some tips that you can try:

Trick 1: Use Epsom Salt Solution

Epsom salt is a common household item that can be used to revive a dead battery. Mix 1/2 pound (227 grams) of Epsom salt with warm distilled water until it dissolves. Pour the solution into each battery cell until the plates are covered. Then, recharge the battery.

Trick 2: Aspirin Tablets

Aspirin tablets can also help revive a dead battery. Crush two to three aspirin tablets and add them to each battery cell. Then, add distilled water to cover the plates. Let the battery sit for an hour before recharging it.

Trick 3: Baking Soda and Distilled Water

A mixture of baking soda and distilled water can help remove corrosion from a battery. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of baking soda with 1 cup (237 milliliters) of distilled water. Use a toothbrush to scrub the battery terminals and cable connectors. Rinse with water and dry with a towel.

Trick 4: Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly can help prevent corrosion on battery terminals. Apply a small amount of jelly to the terminals and cable connectors. This will help protect the battery from corrosion and extend its life.

Trick 5: Soda

Soda can also be used to remove corrosion from a battery. Pour a small amount of soda onto the corroded areas of the battery. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a toothbrush to scrub the corrosion away. Rinse with water and dry with a towel.

Trick 6: Vaseline

Vaseline can also be used to prevent corrosion on battery terminals. Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the terminals and cable connectors. This will help protect the battery from corrosion and extend its life.

Jump-Starting a Dead Car Battery

If you find yourself with a dead car battery, jump-starting the battery using jumper cables and another vehicle is the most common solution. Here are the steps to jump-start a dead car battery:

1. First, park the vehicle with the good battery close to the vehicle with the dead battery, but not touching. Make sure both vehicles are turned off and in park or neutral with the parking brake on.
2. To jump-start the dead battery, simply connect the red jumper cable to the positive terminal. For cars with a remote-mounted battery, you can also use the jump start terminal.
3. Connect the opposite end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery or jump start terminal.
4. Attach the black jumper cable to either the negative terminal of the booster battery or the jump start terminal.
5. Connect the opposite end of the black jumper cable to a metal surface on the engine block or frame of the vehicle with the dead battery. Do not connect to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
6. Start the vehicle with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes.
7. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it does not start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
8. Once the vehicle with the dead battery starts, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were connected.

It is important to note that if proper steps are not taken, there is no guarantee that jump-starting a dead battery will work. Additionally, it is important to use caution and follow safety guidelines when jump-starting a battery.

If you do not have access to another vehicle to jump-start your dead battery, there are other options, such as carrying a booster pack or using a battery charger. It is important to have a plan in place in case of a dead battery emergency.

Push Starting a Manual Transmission Car

If you have ever found yourself stranded with a dead battery, you might be able to push start your car to get it going again. This technique is also known as bump starting or roll starting. It works by using the car’s momentum to turn the engine over and get it running. Here’s how to do it:

1. Check your car’s manual transmission: Push starting only works with manual transmission cars. If your car has an automatic transmission, this method won’t work.
2. Find a hill or some friends: Push starting is easiest with the help of a few friends. If you don’t have any friends around, you can try finding a hill to roll down.
3. Put the key in the ignition: Turn the key to the “on” position, but don’t start the engine.
4. Put the car in second gear: Push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor and put the car in second gear.
5. Release the clutch: Have your friends push the car or roll it down the hill. Once you reach a speed of around 5-10 mph, release the clutch pedal quickly. The engine should turn over and start.
6. Keep driving: Once the engine starts, keep driving for a while to recharge the battery. If the battery is dead, it might not hold a charge for long, so it’s best to keep driving until you can get the battery checked or replaced.

Preventing a Dead Car Battery

Maintaining your car battery is crucial to prevent it from dying unexpectedly. Here are some tips to keep your car battery in good condition:

• Drive your car regularly: Driving your car regularly helps to keep the battery charged. Short trips with frequent stops can drain the battery, so try to take longer trips when possible.
• Turn off all electrical components: When you turn off the ignition, make sure all electrical components are turned off as well. Leaving the lights or radio on can drain the battery.
• Check the battery terminals: Check the battery terminals regularly to make sure they are clean and tight. Loose or corroded terminals can prevent the battery from charging properly.
• Use a trickle charger: If you don’t drive your car often, consider using a trickle charger to keep the battery charged. A trickle charger slowly charges the battery and prevents it from dying.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures can damage the battery. If possible, park your car in a garage or shaded area to protect it from extreme heat or cold.
• Check the neutral safety switch: If your car won’t start, check the neutral safety switch. This switch prevents the car from starting in any gear other than neutral or park.
• Accelerate gently: When starting your car, accelerate gently to avoid putting too much strain on the battery.
• Check the starter motor: If your car won’t start, the starter motor may be the problem. Check the starter motor for any signs of wear or damage.
• Avoid sparks: Avoid creating sparks near the battery. Sparks can ignite the hydrogen gas that is produced by the battery and cause an explosion.

Pro Tip:

If you're going to be away from your car for an extended period, disconnect the positive terminal to prevent the battery from draining.