What To Do If A Car Battery Is Flat?

Author: Jonathan Jonas

A car's battery can go flat because of numerous reasons. In winter, it is especially a common sight that people often turn their keys in the ignition plug, but the car doesn't get started. A lot of reasons why your car won't start is the flat battery.

A flat battery can happen for various reasons, and it can be quite frustrating to find out when you are heading somewhere in a hurry. Your car won't start despite all your efforts. All you have to do is call a nearby mechanic or emergency roadside service if you have enough time or take an uber and go.

But, leaving your car behind with such a condition can be mentally frustrating. There might be many issues behind your car battery going flat, and knowing those reasons is important to apply the right solution to fix it.

Therefore, read this article to know all about it. This article mentions the common reasons why a car battery goes flat and how you can fix it.

Also read: 6 Reasons Why Your New Car Battery Keeps Dying

Common Reasons Of Car's Flat Battery

A vehicle's battery can go flat because of the following reasons:

The Battery Has Reached Its Limits

One of the common reasons for the flat battery is that it has reached its limit. Most of the batteries can run for five or more years, but using more than that can make them stop working all at once. If you notice that your car's battery has stopped working suddenly, which you had been using for years, maybe it is time to change it.

You Left Your Lights On

Another common reason which might be considered as driver's carelessness is forgetting to turn off headlights. Headlights can drain off the battery of your vehicle. So, if your car doesn't start or is taking quite an effort to get started, it is because maybe you left your headlights on.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat or cold can also affect the proper functioning of your car. A car loses its performance in such extreme temperature conditions, and thus, its longevity is affected.

There Is A Problem With Alternator

The alternator is a small device in the engine that charges the battery while the engine is running. Although the alternator can last for years, constant usage can affect its operation and needs replacement. If there is a problem with the alternator, your battery won't get charged during running, and thus, sooner or later, it will stop functioning.

These were some of the many reasons why your car battery can go flat. Now, let's take a look at measures which you can opt to deal with.

How To Deal With A Car's Flat Battery?

Call A Roadside Assistance Company

Many roadside assistance companies offer different services, such as towing or fixing a flat battery. If you can't figure out the problem with your battery, it is better to call such towing companies.

Ontario Towing is a roadside assistance company servicing Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans, Gloucester, Barrhaven, & surrounding areas. Such companies can figure out the problem and find the quickest and reliable solutions.

Charge It Up Again

If your car's battery is not all used up, you can charge it up. A car battery charger is plugged into the mains, which charges your battery up again. This is a common solution after you leave your headlights on in which the battery is not completely drained up.

Jumpstart Your Car

Another option to get your car back on the road after a flat tire is jumpstarting your car. If the battery doesn't get charged up by the method mentioned above, the jumpstart is another option. However, you might need to hire a professional company for this as they have the necessary tools and jumper cables for this purpose. Moreover, a donor car is also needed during the process.

Consider Replacing Your Battery

If nothing works, maybe it is time to replace your car's battery. If you think that you have been using this battery for years and it has stopped working all at once, then it is necessary to replace it.

Most of the batteries can last for five to six years, but after that, they are not reliable anymore. So, it is better to change them on time and install a new one to give you another five to six years of a good drive.

Conclusion

Car battery going flat is one of the frustrating experiences you encounter. It is even more problematic if you are in the middle of a road. The incoming traffic can be dangerous in such circumstances. Therefore, it is better to push your car to a side location or some parking area as soon as possible.

Moreover, it is always better to seek some professional help for checking your car's battery or replacing it. Those professionals know where the problem lies and find the solution for that problem.