Dead Car Battery Tricks

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you turn the key to start your car, only to hear a disappointing clicking sound? This is a sign that your car battery is dead. A dead car battery can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re in a hurry. But don’t worry, there are a few tricks that can jumpstart your car and get you back on the road in no time.

Having a few tricks up your sleeve can save you a lot of time, money, and stress in case of a dead car battery. Imagine being stuck on the side of the road, in the rain, with no one around to help. Knowing how to jumpstart your car can get you out of a tight spot and back on your way. It’s also important to have these tricks handy in case of an emergency, such as a power outage or a natural disaster.

Additionally, jumpstarting your car battery is a much cheaper alternative to having it replaced or repaired by a mechanic. Not to mention, it’s also a quick and easy solution to get your car back up and running.

So, let’s dive into some tricks that can help jumpstart a dead car battery. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just looking to have some peace of mind, these tricks are sure to come in handy.

Different Car Battery Tricks You Can Try

1. Jump Starting

Jump starting is the most common and well-known trick for jumpstarting a dead car battery. The process involves using a set of jump cables to transfer power from a working car battery to your dead battery.

To jumpstart your car, you’ll need the following materials:

• A set of jump cables
• Another car with a working battery
• Both cars should be turned off

To jumpstart your car:

1. Open the hoods of both cars.
2. Locate the battery in both cars.
3. Connect the positive (red) cable clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
4. Connect the other positive (red) cable clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery.
5. Connect the negative (black) cable clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
6. Find a metal part of the dead car that is not near the battery, such as a bolt on the engine block, and attach the other negative (black) cable clamp to it.
7. Start the car with the working battery and let it run for a few minutes.
8. Try to start the dead car. If it starts, remove the cables in the reverse order, starting with the negative clamps, followed by the positive clamps.
9. Let your car run for at least 15 minutes to allow the battery to recharge.

2. Portable Jump Starter

A portable jump starter is a small, compact device that can jumpstart your car battery without the need for another car. It’s a convenient and easy solution to jumpstarting a dead battery, especially if you’re on the road and don’t have access to another car.

Here are some of the benefits of using a portable jump starter:

• No need for another car – You can jumpstart your car anywhere, anytime, without relying on another vehicle.
• Easy to use – Most portable jump starters are user-friendly and easy to operate. Simply connect the jump starter to your car battery and press a button.
• Compact and lightweight – Portable jump starters are small enough to fit in your glove compartment or trunk, making them a great solution for on-the-go emergencies.
• Multiple uses – Many portable jump starters come with additional features, such as a built-in flashlight or USB ports for charging other devices.

Jumping a dead car battery with a jump starter is a straightforward process. To get started, make sure the jump starter is fully charged and ready to use. Then, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your car and the jump starter.
2. Open the hood of your car and locate the battery.
3. Connect the red positive cable from the jump starter to the positive battery terminal of your car.
4. Connect the black negative cable from the jump starter to a metal part of the engine block that is not near the battery.
5. Turn on the jump starter and wait a few seconds.
6. Attempt to start your car.
7. If the car starts, remove the cables in reverse order, starting with the black negative cable, and then the red positive cable.
8. Let your car run for at least 15 minutes to allow the battery to recharge.

Note: When choosing a portable jump starter, it’s important to consider the size of your engine and the peak amperage of the jump starter. A jump starter with a higher peak amperage is capable of jumpstarting larger engines.

3. Charging the Battery

Charging a dead car battery is a relatively simple process that can be done at home or a service station. To charge a dead car battery, you’ll need:

• A battery charger – A 12-volt battery charger is suitable for most car batteries.
• Connections – The charger should come with cables and clamps for connecting to the battery.

Here’s the step-by-step process for charging a car battery:

1. Park your car near a power outlet and turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood of your car and locate the battery.
3. Connect the red positive cable from the charger to the positive battery terminal of your car.
4. Connect the black negative cable from the charger to the negative battery terminal of your car.
5. Turn on the battery charger and set it to the appropriate voltage for your car battery.
6. Monitor the charging process and wait for the battery to reach its full charge.
7. Turn off the battery charger and remove the cables in reverse order, starting with the black negative cable, and then the red positive cable.

4. Push Start

Push starting a car is a simple and effective way to jumpstart a dead battery. This method is only suitable for manual transmission vehicles and should not be attempted in an automatic transmission vehicle as it can cause damage to the transmission. You’ll need:

1. People – You’ll need people to help push your car to get it started.
2. A flat, level surface – This will ensure that the car doesn’t stall while pushing.

Here’s the step-by-step process for push-starting a car:

1. Find a flat, level surface and place the manual transmission car in second gear.
2. Turn off the engine, but leave the key in the ignition.
3. Employ the help of people to help push the car.
4. With the help of the other people, push the car until it reaches a speed of about 15 mph.
5. Quickly pop the clutch and turn the key in the ignition.
6. If done correctly, the engine should start.
7. Keep the engine running for a few minutes to allow the battery to recharge.

5. Trick The Car Computer By Accelerating

Tricking the car computer by accelerating is a technique that can be used to jumpstart a dead car battery. The idea behind this method is to use the alternator to recharge the battery while the car is in motion.

1. Get into the driver’s seat of your car.
2. Turn the key in the ignition and listen for the engine to turn over. If the engine doesn’t start, continue to the next step.
3. Hold the accelerator pedal to the floor and release the key from the ignition.
4. Push the car to a speed of about 15 mph and let go of the accelerator.
5. Quickly turn the key back to the “on” position and hold it there for about 10 seconds.
6. Release the key and try to start the engine.

This technique works by tricking the car’s computer into thinking that the battery has enough charge to start the engine. As the car accelerates, the alternator generates power and recharges the battery, which can then be used to start the engine. This method is not recommended for all vehicles and can result in damage if not performed correctly.

6. Tap The Battery Terminals

Tapping the battery terminals is a simple and easy technique that can sometimes jumpstart a dead car battery. The idea behind this method is to create a spark that will stimulate the battery and start the engine.

1. Get a metal object such as a wrench or pliers.
2. Locate the battery terminals, which are usually marked with “+” and “-” signs.
3. Tap the positive terminal with the metal object and then immediately tap the negative terminal.
4. Try starting the engine.

7. Start The Car In Neutral

Starting the car in neutral is a technique that can sometimes jumpstart a dead car battery. The idea behind this method is to use the momentum of the car to start the engine. To do this:

1. Get into the driver’s seat of your car and make sure it’s in neutral gear.
2. Have someone push the car or roll it down a gentle slope.
3. As the car gathers speed, turn the key in the ignition and try to start the engine.

8. Use Soda To Get Rid Of Corrosion

The acid in soda can help dissolve the corrosion that can accumulate on the battery terminals and cause a decrease in battery performance.

1. Obtain a can of soda, preferably cola.
2. Pour the soda over the battery terminals and let it sit for several minutes.
3. Use a wire brush or an old toothbrush to scrub away the corrosion.
4. Wipe the terminals clean with a cloth or paper towel.
5. Rinse the terminals with water to remove any remaining soda residue.
6. Dry the terminals thoroughly before reattaching the battery cables.

9. Drop Two Aspirin Tablets Into Each Battery Cell

The idea behind this method is that aspirin will help neutralize the sulfuric acid in the battery, thus improving battery performance. Here’s how to do it:

1. Obtain two aspirin tablets for each battery cell.
2. Remove the battery cover or caps to access the individual cells.
3. Drop two aspirin tablets into each cell.
4. Wait for about an hour to allow the aspirin to dissolve.
5. Reattach the battery cover or caps and try starting the engine.

It’s important to note that this technique is not scientifically proven and may not be effective for all car batteries. Furthermore, adding anything to the battery cells can be dangerous and may result in damage to the battery or the vehicle.

10. Use Epsom Salt and Distilled Water

The idea behind this method is that Epsom salt can help increase the battery’s ability to hold a charge by neutralizing the acid in the battery and improving the flow of electrons.

1. Obtain a box of Epsom salt and some distilled water.
2. Remove the battery cover or caps to access the individual cells.
3. Fill each cell with distilled water, leaving about a quarter inch of space at the top.
4. Add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to each cell and mix until the salt is dissolved.
5. Reattach the battery cover or caps and let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight.
6. Remove the battery cover or caps and use a turkey baster to remove the mixture from each cell.
7. Refill each cell with distilled water and reattach the battery cover or caps.
8. Try starting the engine.

Read: Battery Sparks When Connecting

In Conclusion

A dead car battery can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are several tricks you can try to jumpstart it. From jump starting with another car, using a portable jump starter, charging the battery, push starting, tricking the car computer by accelerating, tapping the battery terminals, starting the car in neutral, using soda to get rid of corrosion, dropping aspirin tablets into each battery cell, and using the Epsom salt trick, there are several methods you can try.

It’s important to remember that not all of these tricks may work for every car battery, and some may even be dangerous and result in damage to the battery or the vehicle. If none of these tricks work for you, it’s best to seek professional help from a mechanic or a car service center.

In any case, having a few tricks up your sleeve can help you jumpstart your dead car battery and get you back on the road in no time. Whether you prefer a simple jump-start, a portable jump starter, or a more involved method, there’s a solution out there for you. Just remember to be safety conscious, take your time, and seek help if you’re unsure of what to do.