Waking up to a car that will not start is guaranteed to damage anyone’s spirits. Even if you arrive late for an important meeting, or if you just want to start the road, dealing with an unresponsive vehicle can be the result of many problems. Usually, this points to a flat battery.
Dealing with a low battery can be very frustrating as it does not always display itself. Other visible signs of an approaching flat battery include any low-voltage electrical appliances, such as dimly lit local lights.
In some cases, leaving your headlights, radio, or other electrical device turned on may result in lower battery power. However, there are some cases where the cause of your low battery is not known.
Whether the cause is fixed or not, you will need to recharge your battery. At this stage, it is also important to find out if this can grow into a major problem that requires a lot of car battery maintenance.
What are the signs of a flat car battery?
While there are many signs when it comes to dealing with a flat battery, these are the important ones to look out for:
- When the dashboard battery warning indicator is turned on. This is an obvious sign because it comes from a car. It could be the result of damaged cables, a faulty alternator, or a weak first terminal.
- If you are experiencing significant difficulties while starting a car. As various components are involved in the process of starting your car, you may see a failure of some things, such as an engine crank or an ignition.
- If the electrical components do not work properly. Your car’s battery activates various electrical components, such as lamps, power windows, and more. If these components do not work properly, this is a sign that your battery is likely to die.
What to do if you have a flat battery?
If your car does not start, no matter how hard you try, it may have a flat battery. Before you pick up your phone to make a help call, go through the following steps.
- Verify if it indeed is a flat battery
This is the first step in dealing with a flat battery as other factors could result in your car not starting. Check your fuel tank to ensure there’s fuel in it and inspect the ignition console thoroughly. Sometimes, there could be a problem with your key, so it does not hurt to try with a spare key too. - Try to recharge your battery
In some cases, the battery of your car will not be discharged at all. In such cases, you can invest in a nifty car battery charger that can be connected to your battery. However, it is important that you look professional at your battery console after that. - Try to jump start your car
This method is one of the best ways to handle your car’s battery. In such cases, trying to start a crash is the only solution. However, this requires jumper straps and another vehicle to help deliver some power to your car. - Get a flat battery service from your local roadside assistance provider
Sometimes you get stuck in the middle, or you do not have access to the various equipment we mentioned. In such cases, it is always helpful to have a road service provider on the telephone.
