Going out to your car to find that you’ve got a dead battery can ruin your day. One night, your car seems fine. The next morning, you can’t get it to start. What’s the deal?

There are many different reasons why a battery can weaken: from headlights or an internal light being left on, playing the radio or using the air conditioner when the car isn’t started, letting your car sit for long periods of time, or simply an old battery. Below are some of the warning signs of a weak car battery, and what to do if your car battery dies.

Batteries typically last between two-three years, but if you use your battery for charging your phone or iPod often, it probably won’t last as long. It’s a good idea to replace your battery every two and a half years, before you have problems.

Warning signs of a dead battery:

• Slow engine crank: When you try to start the vehicle, the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start. If the car struggles to turn over but then the engine starts up without a problem, the battery is most likely the cause.
• Check engine light: The check engine light sometimes appears when your battery power is weak.
• Old age: Your battery can last longer three years, but have its current condition inspected on a yearly basis when it reaches the three year mark.
• Dim lights: If your battery is on the brink, your headlights won’t appear as bright.

If your car won’t start, call someone to give you a jump start. Call a friend, AAA (if you have it), or ask someone who is around if they would be willing to jump your car. (Use your best judgement; if you don’t feel comfortable asking a stranger, wait in your car for a friend to arrive.)

Luckily, jumping a car isn’t too difficult. Here are the steps:

• Step 1: park the “charged” car in front of yours, hood to hood.
• Step 2: attach one red cable to the charged car’s positive battery terminal and then attach the other red cable to your car battery’s positive terminal.
• Step 3: attach one black cable to the charged car’s negative battery terminal and then attach the other black negative cable to an unpainted metal surface on your car that isn’t near the battery.
• Step 4: start the charged car first, and let it run for at least two minutes. Then, start your car and let it run the same amount of time.
• Step 5: remove the cables in the reverse order that they were attached
• Step 6: let your car run for at least five minutes before you hit the road.

If your car won’t start, your battery may be beyond help. At this point, it’s probably best to call a tow truck or your mechanic to get your car a new battery. Some places will send out a mechanic with a new battery, and they can put it in on site.

If the jump works, don’t shut off your engine. Drive around for at least fifteen minutes to recharge your battery. If the car won’t start the next time you use it, the battery needs to be replaced as it isn’t holding a charge.

Make sure you keep a set of jumper cables in your car. That way, all you need is a Good Samaritan who is willing to give you five minutes of their time.

Need an auto body professional? Call Great Plains Auto Body at 402.334.7100. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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photo credit: 365.057 - The Mid-Day Jump-Start via photopin (license)