10 Simplest Ways To Start A Car With A Dead Battery

Did you forget to turn off the car headlights again? Or did you leave your car parked for too long without driving it? Whatever the reason, returning to a dead car battery is never a good feeling. But fear not because I’m here to share the simplest way to start a car with a dead battery!

You don’t need to call for a tow truck. Sit tight and get ready to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge. Here are the simplest ways to start a car with a dead battery:

1. Jump-start your car with another vehicle: Follow these steps to jump-start your car with another vehicle.

• Park the two vehicles close enough together that the jumper cables can reach both batteries but not touching each other.
• Turn off the engine of both cars and ensure that all electrical components, such as headlights and radios, are turned off.
• Connect the red positive (+) jumper cable clamp to the positive (+) battery terminal on the dead car.
• Connect the other end of the red positive (+) jumper cable clamp to the positive (+) battery terminal on the charged car.
• Connect the black negative (-) jumper cable clamp to the negative (-) battery terminal on the charged car.
• Connect the other end of the black negative (-) jumper cable clamp to a metal part of the dead car’s engine block or other grounded metal parts away from the battery.
• Start the engine of the charged car and let it run for a few minutes.
• Attempt to start the engine of the dead car. If it starts, leave both cars running for a few more minutes.
• Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order of how you connected them, starting with the black negative (-) cable on the previously dead car.
• Take a short drive in the recently jump-started car to recharge the battery fully.

2. Push-start your car: Follow these steps to push-start your car with another vehicle.

• Ensure the parking brake is engaged and the ignition key is in the “on” position.
• If your car has a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal to the floor. If your car has an automatic transmission, make sure the car is neutral.
• Ask a friend to help you push the car.
• Release the parking brake and have your friend begin to push the car.
• Once the car is moving at a decent speed (around 5-10 mph), depress the clutch pedal in case of manual transmission or shift the transmission into first gear in case of automatic transmission.
• Once the clutch is engaged or the transmission is in gear, release the clutch pedal slowly while pressing down on the gas pedal.
• If the engine turns over and starts, release the clutch pedal completely and keep the gas pedal pressed down for a few seconds to allow the engine to stabilize.
• Once the engine is running, drive the car to recharge the battery and allow the alternator to recharge it.

3. Use a jump starter: This portable device can jump-start your car without needing another vehicle.

4. Use a battery charger: Connect your dead battery to a charger and wait for it to recharge before starting your car.

5. Use a portable power bank: Similar to a jump starter, a portable power bank can quickly boost your car’s battery.

6. Try a battery desulfator: A desulfator is a device that can help remove sulfation from your battery, potentially improving its ability to hold a charge.

7. Clean your battery terminals: Dirty or corroded battery terminals can prevent your car from starting.

8. Warm up your battery: If the temperature is below freezing, warming up your battery with a portable heater improves the ability of your car to start.

9. Tap on the battery: Sometimes, a dead battery needs a little nudge. Use a rubber mallet or the back of a screwdriver to tap on the battery and see if it helps.

10. Replace your battery: If none of the above methods work, it may be time to replace your battery with a new one.