What to check if your car won’t start
Your car may not be starting for several reasons so you will need to make sure it is actually a flat battery before you either call for assistance or jump start your car yourself. Below is a list of things you may need to check:
- Make sure you have enough fuel
- Are the dashboard warning lights turning on or are the electric windows and interior lights working? If the answer is no then you may have a flat battery however, you also need to be careful as you battery might hold enough charge to turn on the warning lights but not your engine
- Your key fob maybe the problem if your central locking system isn’t working properly, try testing a spare key
- If your tyre is jammed against the kerb you may struggle to turn the ignition key. If this is the case, try turning your steering wheel away from the kerb
If none of the above suggestions work, you can either try to jump start your car yourself or call us for assistance
Jump starting your car
If you feel confident enough to jump start your car you will need to carefully follow some simple steps:
1. Position the Cars
- Park both cars so their batteries are close enough to connect with the jump leads, but ensure the vehicles don’t touch.
- Apply the handbrakes and turn off both ignitions.
2. Connect the Red Jump Lead
- Attach one end of the red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal of the working battery.
- Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery.
- Important: Do not let the ends of the red and black leads touch, as this can cause sparks or damage.
3. Connect the Black Jump Lead
- Attach one end of the black jump lead to the negative (-) terminal of the working battery.
- Secure the other end to an earthing point on the car with the flat battery—this should be unpainted metal on the engine block or chassis, away from the battery and fuel system.
4. Start the Working Car
- Start the car with the fully charged battery and let its engine run for about one minute.
5. Start the Car with the Flat Battery
- Turn the key in the ignition of the car with the flat battery to start it.
6. Let Both Cars Run
- Allow both engines to idle for approximately 10 minutes. This will help charge the flat battery.
7. Turn Off and Disconnect the Leads
- Switch off the engines of both cars.
- Carefully disconnect the jump leads in reverse order:
- Remove the black lead from the earthing point first, then from the working battery.
- Remove the red lead from the flat battery, then from the working battery.
- Ensure the leads don’t touch each other or any car parts while disconnecting.
8. Restart Your Car
- Start the car with the previously flat battery. If it starts successfully, let the engine run for a while to charge the battery further.
- Following these steps should get your car up and running again. If it doesn’t start, the battery might need replacing or there could be another issue requiring professional assistance.
Calling us for assistance
If you cannot work out if your battery is the issue or do not feel comfortable jumpstarting your car you can call visit our breakdown web page for a quote for assistance, as we provide a 24/7 breakdown service with a team who will be happy to help!
When to replace the battery in your car
Most car batteries will last between 5-7 years, but this can vary depending on how you maintain your vehicle and the quality of the battery. For example, if you only drive your car on short journeys this will prevent the battery from fully charging and therefore reducing its capacity over time. Also, during the winter months your battery is more likely to stop working as the cold weather can drain its charge faster.
What causes your battery to stop working?
As previously stated, your car battery can stop working due to repeated short journeys and the cold winter conditions. Below are other common reasons why your battery may become flat:
- You have accidentally left your headlights or interior lights on
- You haven’t shut your door or boot properly
- You have left a device plugged in
- There is a problem with the car battery itself
- There may be a problem with the car’s charging system
Remember if you need immediate breakdown assistance or wish to take out a breakdown policy for potential future assistance visit our breakdown webpage.
