Your Engine Won't Start – Should You Call A Jumpstart Service?
Dead batteries are frustrating, no matter where they happen. While getting stuck in a strange parking lot certainly isn't fun, no one likes waking up to find a dead car in their driveway, either. In many cases, a dead battery isn't a critical problem. While fully draining a starting battery can cause damage, you can usually jumpstart your car and get on your way.
Unfortunately, knowing the difference between a dead battery and another problem isn't always easy, especially if you aren't a gearhead. If your car doesn't start, use these three questions to determine whether you need jumpstart services.
1. Have You Been Experiencing Other Symptoms?
There are usually some warning signs before an old battery fails. For example, you might notice your car cranking more sluggishly in the morning, especially after sitting out for a long night. This slow cranking can be a warning sign that your battery no longer holds a full charge. Dimming lights or strange behavior at idle are also indications of trouble.
If you've been experiencing these problems for several days or weeks before your car fails to start, you probably have a dead battery. A jumpstart might be enough to get you on your way, but you will likely need to replace your battery soon. Note that most professional jumpstart services will test your battery after giving you a jump to ensure you don't get stuck again immediately.
2. Is Your Car Cranking Slowly or Not At All?
You can usually hear the starter motor turning over when you turn the key (or press your ignition button). Your engine is effectively a self-sustaining system. Once your engine is running, it can keep itself going. However, it needs an initial push from the starter motor. This electric motor, in turn, needs a jump from your battery.
If your battery can't output enough power, you might hear the starter motor turning very slowly or not at all. In this case, a dead battery is a likely culprit for your problem. On the other hand, a very rapid clicking noise usually means that your starter is receiving enough juice, but your engine won't turn over. Unfortunately, that rapid clicking probably means you need a tow rather than a jump.
3. Does Your Car Seem Completely Dead?
Of course, a completely dead car is the biggest telltale sign that you need a jump. Try putting your car into accessory mode. Does the radio work? Are the lights noticeably dim? You may experience some unusual behavior with the car in accessory mode or notice accessories failing one by one as the battery drains.
Trying to start your car repeatedly will drain even a healthy battery, so you'll want to perform this test before you try to crank your car endlessly. If nothing at all works, that's a pretty sure sign that you need to get in touch with a jumpstart service to get yourself back on the road.