What to Do When Your Car Battery Dies

It’s happened to nearly everyone—you get into your car, turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens. A wave of frustration and despair washes over you—after all, you’ve got places to go and things to do.

Maintaining your car’s battery is, unfortunately, an oft-overlooked aspect of auto maintenance in Riverside, CA. If you don’t stay on top of caring for your car’s electrical system, including its battery and alternator, there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself stranded due to a lack of electrical charge at some point.

Investing in routine checkups and tune-ups for your vehicle is a great way to ensure that your battery health is taken care of. During a routine tune-up, a technician will analyze the health of your auto battery, and either recharge it, recommend repairs or replace the battery, depending on its current state.

If you do find yourself stranded with a dead car battery, however, the most important thing to do is remain calm. Overreacting to a dead battery could be dangerous, particularly if you’re in an unsheltered area or are parked on the side of the road. Here are just a few things you can do in the event of a dead battery that will help you safely get back on the road, on the way to your next adventure:

• Ensure safety: The first thing you should do is ensure that you and your vehicle are safe. If it’s hot or storming outside, for instance, you should seek shelter, rather than waiting with your car for help to arrive. If your car is on the side of the road, place a triangle or flare to let people know that it’s there.
• Phone a friend: Once you’re in a safe place, try calling a friend or family member for help. In most cases, you’ll only need a single jump-start to get your car up and running so that you can make it to your local auto repair shop for a thorough inspection of your battery.
• Call for professional help: If your friends aren’t available, or if they don’t have jumper cables on hand, you’ll need to call for professional assistance. If this is the case, call the mechanic you normally rely on for auto maintenance in Riverside, CA.
• Exercise good battery preservation techniques: There are a number of things you can do to reduce the likelihood that you’re going to experience a battery failure. For instance, leave your radio off when you’re not driving, and turn off your headlights while parked.

Since 1971, Reliable Tire Center has been a trusted provider of auto maintenance in Riverside, CA. We not only offer high-quality tires and tire care—we also provide our clients with a wide range of necessary automotive repairs and maintenance services. If you’re looking for a trusted partner to provide you with dependable, high-quality auto maintenance and battery care, reach out to one of our friendly representatives today. We’ll be more than happy to get you scheduled for a car care appointment.

Categorised in: Auto Maintenance