A failure in the car battery is unexpected. It usually occurs when you are in a hurry somewhere, making an ordinary day turn stressful. People usually experience battery-related issues, which in turn lead to asking for roadside assistance. However, if you know what to do when a car battery fails unexpectedly, you can save both your time and effort.
This blog will explain to you how to deal with unexpected battery failure and the precautionary steps you need to take. Being prepared beforehand for the scenarios as mentioned earlier is always the right decision.
Why Car Batteries Fail
A number of things can deplete or destroy a battery. Forgetting to turn off headlights or cabin lights overnight is a typical gaffe. Frequent short trips also limit the capacity of the battery to replenish completely.
Weather contributes significantly as well. Cold temperatures tend to halve battery power. This, in turn, makes the vehicle hard to start. Prolonged exposure to high heat will do internal harm.
Other reasons are
- Malfunctioning alternators that fail to recharge properly
- Loose or corroded terminals.
You can take precautionary steps in order to avoid the hazards mentioned below that can also lead to car battery failure.
Diagnosing a Weak or Dead Battery
Your car will usually show signs of warning before a total failure. These indicators can enable you to take action in time.
- Slow cranking when starting the engine
- Dimming headlights or interior lights
- Unresponsive electronics, such as the radio or dashboard
- Clicking sound when the ignition is turned on
- Dash warning light for the battery
You should be aware of these warning signs before your car battery flops and leaves you helpless.
What to do when the battery fails
If your car fails to start, the common reason is a flat battery. You have the option to start it or seek professional car battery replacement service. It avoids delays by quickly dealing with and ensuring safety.
Jump-start the Battery
If you have a jumper cable and a vehicle available in good condition, you can jump-start your vehicle yourself.
- Position the good car in close proximity, without making the cars touch.
- Connect the red clamp to the positive end of the dead battery.
- Connect the other red clamp to the positive end of the good battery.
- Connect the black clamp to the negative end of the good battery.
- Attach the final black clamp to a metal component of your vehicle’s frame.
- Begin the working vehicle and allow it to run for a few minutes.
- Attempt to start your car. If successful, let the engine idle for a few minutes so that the battery may recharge properly.
This process works in most cases when a car battery fails, but safety comes first. Always attach clamps in the correct sequence to prevent sparks or damage.
Calling Roadside Assistance
If you don’t have the equipment or your battery doesn’t respond, a call to roadside assistance is next. Give details of your location and problem so they know what to expect.
Most of the roadside can jump-start or change the battery on the spot. While waiting, maintain hazard lights and remain in place of safety. Use reflective triangles to be visible at night or in low visibility.
Testing a Battery’s Condition
Testing your battery helps you detect problems early on. Check voltage with a multimeter; a good one should be about 12.6 volts when the engine is turned off. Anything below that indicates that it needs to be replaced or charged.
A lot of auto repair shops provide free testing. This can uncover latent problems before the car battery fails once more unexpectedly. Incorporating battery checks into routine maintenance saves you time and headaches.
Knowing When to Replace a Battery
Even with proper maintenance, batteries do go bad. The majority of them last between three to five years. If your battery requires frequent jump-starts, has a bulging case, or spills, replacement is the best way out.
While replacing, select a battery that fits your vehicle’s specifications. Some garages also recycle the old ones in a safe manner. Replacing the weak battery guarantees dependability, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
At times, a car battery replacement service is the fastest and safest method to return to driving without causing further damage.
Conclusion
A failing car battery doesn’t have to ruin your day. The periodic check-ups and timely replacement of car batteries ensure you enjoy any road trip without being overwhelmed. Follow the above-mentioned safety measures to avoid the car battery failure. Significant precautionary steps, like jump-starting a car or taking quick roadside assistance will help you tackle the issue early and can save both time and effort.
Why Choose Car Recovery Abu Dhabi?
Car Recovery Abu Dhabi is well known for providing reliable 24-hour battery replacement services. Whenever their vehicles face battery issues, we have created confidence with our customers by giving rapid, inexpensive and practical solutions. Our Abu Dhabi team also provides battery replacement and jump-start assistance, even for long-distance recovery needs. Whether it is a sudden flat battery, a battery test, or a new fit, we handle it quickly and efficiently. If you need to replace your car’s battery without any delay, you can trust us to move forward again in no time.
