Car didn’t start? Now what? If you think your battery may be dead, here are a few simple things to try.
1. Check Your Battery Connections
Make sure the battery cables are securely connected. If the connections wiggle or you see corrosion, remove the connectors and clean the terminals with a battery terminal brush. A loose wire or corrosion could cause an improper connection and prevent the battery from delivering enough power to start the car.
Our Ultimate Battery Care Kit includes a terminal brush, battery cleaner, corrosion preventative and terminal protectors to help clean and protect your battery connections.
Reconnect the cables securely and try starting the car again.
2. Try Jump-Starting the Car
If the connections look good but the battery is still dead, try jump-starting the vehicle with jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
The Boost 12V 2,000A Jump Starter is a convenient alternative to traditional jumper cables because you don't need another vehicle. It also features spark-proof connections and reverse-polarity protection to make connecting it safer and easier.
Remember: red is positive (+), black is negative (-).
3. Charge the Battery
Once you get home, use a battery charger to fully recharge the battery.
For slow charging and maintaining batteries, the Genius 1-Amp Battery Charger is a good choice. It automatically charges and maintains 6V and 12V batteries and is especially useful for vehicles or equipment that sit for long periods.
For a typical car or truck battery, the Genius 5-Amp Battery Charger provides five times the charging amperage, making it the better choice when you want to recharge a discharged battery more quickly. It can also maintain batteries when needed.
4. Test the Battery
After the battery is fully charged, test it to make sure it still holds a charge and doesn't need to be replaced.
A few simple battery tools kept in your garage or vehicle can help turn a dead battery from a major problem into a minor inconvenience.
