How to Handle a Dead Battery Problem
Trying to start your car's engine and getting no response when you turn the key most likely means you have a dead battery. This is one of those situations where you need to have a plan in place before it happens to you. There are several ways to handle a dead battery problem.
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Instructions
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Carry jumper cables in your car and store them with your spare tire. Hook the jumper cables to another car's battery and to your battery to jump-start it. See related eHow article titled "How to Jump-Start a Car."
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Buy a portable jump starter and keep it in your car. Portable jump starters have a battery supply and many are rechargeable. Portable jump starters are available at most automotive stores and online. Follow the link in Resources to find an assortment available on the Internet.
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Push-start your car if it is a manual transmission. (See "How to Push-Start a Car with a Dead Battery," under Related eHows.)
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Call an automobile roadside service to jump-start your car if you do not have jumper cables, a portable jump starter or cannot find someone to help you.
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Replace your battery if it will not hold a charge or it requires jump-starting multiple times. You can do this yourself or take it to your mechanic to have it done.
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Tips & Warnings
Always carry jumper cables in your car. You never know when you will need them.
Some portable jump starters work through your car's lighter so you don't even have to get out of your car to use it.
The average life of a car battery is 3 to 5 years. Extreme temperatures, short run time and how often you start your car will affect how long your battery will last.
Make sure you know what you are doing before trying to jump-start a car. Hooking the jumper cables up incorrectly can cause damage to both cars.
