When the weather turns cold, the last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road with a dead car battery. As you hit the road to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, be sure you don't find yourself in need of emergency roadside assistance by understanding the signs of a dead car battery.
If you need a jump-start, don't take the risk if you're uncertain how to jump-start a car battery. Leave it to the professionals at AAA roadside assistance.
How to Tell If Your Car Battery Needs Jumped
There are different warning signs that your car battery needs to be jumped or is about to go dead, including:
- A slow or sluggish start: If your car is slow to start when you turn the key in the morning, your car battery needs jumping or will need it soon.
- Dim headlights: If your headlights seem dim, your car battery will need a jump-start soon. When your car battery's life is running out, you will notice less power to your car's accessories, including headlights and interior lights. You may need emergency roadside assistance soon when your lights are burning dim and seem less bright.
- No power: An unmistakable sign that your car battery needs to be jumped is having no power at all to any of your car's accessories, including lights, radio and other electronic features. Loose terminals, low battery life and a faulty alternator are all possible causes.
- A constant need for a jump: Have you jump-started your car's battery more than a few times in the past week or two? If so, then this is a sign that your battery is dying, and it's time to replace it. Your battery is not holding a charge and will need to be jumped constantly until you replace it.
- The engine fires but does not start: If your car's engine is firing but not starting, then this is another sign that your car battery needs to be jumped. This means there is enough life in the car's battery to fire the starting mechanism but not enough power to start your vehicle.
If you're experiencing any of these issues, your car's battery is going dead, and you will soon need a jump-start or more. We recommend not jumping your car battery yourself since many different things can go wrong. Leave your dead car battery to the professionals at AAA emergency roadside assistance.
How AAA Jump-Starts Your Car Battery
When you need a jump-start for your car battery, AAA emergency roadside assistance is here to help. AAA jump-starts your car battery by following our seven-step process.
1. Following Safety Protocols
You're dealing with high voltage electrical devices when you jump-start your dead car battery. This requires a safety-first mentality and a careful approach when jumping a dead car battery.
Check your owner's manual for any manufacturer specifications and ensure you're out of high traffic areas in a safe location to perform a jump-start. Your AAA roadside assistance provider will help you to a safe spot to perform their duties.
2. Using AAA-Approved Tools
Aside from jump boxes and 10 to 20-foot long jumper cables, a AAA roadside assistance provider also keeps wrenches and a wire brush as handy jump-starting tools. Wrenches are useful for tightening loose battery terminals, and a wire brush is needed to clean off any corrosion. Both of these are common car battery issues that can lead to a dead battery.
3. Positioning the Vehicle
If your AAA roadside assistance provider uses their vehicle as a power source, they will position the two vehicles at a safe distance. This ensures they have enough space to connect their jumper cables safely. More often, however, your provider will likely use a jump box, which doesn't require another vehicle. A typical jump box will include a sealed battery connected to jumper cables. The shorter cables of a jump box means charges won't have to travel such a far distance.
4. Connecting Jumper Box
Your AAA roadside assistance provider will connect a jumper box to your car's battery. Your battery has positive and negative terminals — a AAA professional will attach the cables correctly to each one.
5. Starting the Car
Once the jumper box is connected, your AAA emergency roadside assistance provider will let your dead battery charge for a few moments before instructing you to start your car. Starting your car takes a certain amount of power from the battery, so it will fail if your battery does not charge.
6. Disconnecting Jumper Cables
Once your car starts and runs, your AAA roadside assistance professional will disconnect the jumper box. If your AAA professional disconnects the jumper box and your car dies again, this points to a more significant issue with your battery.
7. Trying Alternative Methods
Although many people still use jumper cables as an alternative method, jumper boxes are the safer, more convenient option. Today, quick jump-start boxes are available on the market and have become the preferred choice for many AAA service providers. Their shorter cables and DC voltage make them safer, and they often have alarms and on/off buttons that help protect your car's battery.
Jump boxes work well when your car is in an unreachable spot where ordinary cables don't reach or another vehicle cannot maneuver close enough to provide power. Overall, they're the more reliable and trusted method over jumper cables.
The Benefits of Emergency Roadside Assistance
Emergency roadside assistance is there for you where you're stuck on the side of the road. When this happens, you'll be thankful you chose AAA roadside assistance.
There are many benefits associated with having emergency roadside assistance, including:
- Peace of mind when traveling.
- Little to no out-of-pocket cost for roadside services.
- Quick service to get you up and running again.
- Easy solutions to sometimes complicated vehicle issues.
- Comprehensive battery service.
Roadside assistance helps you solve your vehicle's issues and also enlightens you about your battery. AAA can run full battery tests to provide insight into your battery's life and offer you some confidence about its future capabilities.
Additional AAA Emergency Roadside Services
There are other situations that emergency roadside services can assist you with beyond a dead car battery. Whether you're traveling long-distance or commuting to and from work, AAA emergency roadside services can help you with:
- Towing and extrication: If you need your vehicle towed to a nearby automotive repair shop or removed from a ditch, AAA can help.
- Flat tires: AAA services can assist you with a flat tire, a blowout or if you run over something sharp.
- Lockouts: Many people experience the panic of locking keys in the car. AAA emergency roadside services can assist you with unlocking your vehicle.
- Fuel delivery: AAA roadside service providers can deliver fuel when you run out and make sure you find your way to the nearest gas station.
AAA can also provide non-emergency services. We'll come to help in the convenience of your own driveway or inside a parking garage. As the weather turns to extreme hot or cold, we can come out and check your battery as a preventative measure.
Contact AAA Today
You can count on AAA to have your back wherever you are. Having a AAA membership provides more than peace of mind — you get coupons, discounts, free or discounted notary, auto title services and more when you sign up.
To learn more and start prepping for emergencies down the road, contact AAA today!
