How do I start my car with a dead car battery? Expert explains

As drivers, we try to plan for every eventuality including planning our route ahead of time and keeping all our vehicle documents in one handy place. 

But we can't plan for everything and sometimes there are things that are beyond our control.

Although there's never a convenient time for your car's battery to die, you can follow some expert advice to help make the experience as painless as possible.

We've paired up with the motoring experts at Group 1 Automotive who have identified the most searched questions about our cars.

The experts have heard your most confusing questions about all things motoring and they've got the all-important answers to these pressing problems.

So, here's what you should do if your car battery dies including the key steps to follow if (and if you don't) have jump leads on hand.

If you have jump leads on hand, you can use these to power the vehicle back up. But if you don’t have these available to you, it’s best to contact your local body shop or repair centre for help.

How to jump start a car with jump leads

The experts explain that you need to find a car with a charged battery.

You should then position the car close enough to the car with the flat battery so that the jump leads can reach both batteries.

However, you should also ensure that both cars are not touching. 

You should turn off the ignition and any electrical components for both cars to prevent any electrical surges. 

The pros added that you should open the hoods of both vehicles and secure them in place. 

The next step is to identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both car batteries.

The experts explained that they are usually labelled or indicated by red (positive) or black (negative) covers. 

@uktoday_ Think your car insurance has you covered? Watch this to be sure. #carinsurance #carinsurancetips #uknews #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest

You should connect one end of the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal of the flat battery.

Then, connect the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the charged battery.

Next, connect one end of the black (negative) jumper cable to the negative terminal of the charged battery.

Finally, connect the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the flat battery.

This could be a metal bracket or a bolt, but make sure it’s away from the battery or any moving parts. 

Start the engine of the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. 

Try to start the engine of the car with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start immediately, wait a couple of minutes and try again. 

Once the vehicle with the flat battery starts, carefully remove the jump leads in reverse order: 

1. Remove the black jumper cable from the previously grounded metal surface on the car with the flat battery.
2. Then remove the black jumper cable from the negative terminal of the charged battery.
3. Next, remove the red jumper cable from the positive terminal of the charged battery.
4. Finally, remove the red jumper cable from the positive terminal of the previously dead battery.
5. Keep the engine of the previously dead vehicle running for about 15-20 minutes to allow the alternator to charge the battery. 
6. Drive the vehicle for a while to further charge the battery.

How to start a car without jump leads

If your car battery dies and you don’t have access to jumper cables, Group 1 Automotive recommends contacting one of their approved Repair and Bodyshop Centres across the UK.

Recommended reading

• Don't panic! This is what to do if you lose your car keys 
• The reason why your car alarm keeps going off (and what you can do about it)
• 17 Driving theory test questions to test your knowledge

The team have locations in Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire, Berkshire, Middlesex and Norfolk. 

The experts urge drivers to carry out constant maintenance of their vehicles, so that they can prevent and avoid situations like the above.

By scheduling a service on your car or an MOT (Ministry of Transport), you give yourself and your vehicle the best chance of nipping any issues in the bud.