Car won't start? Jump-start or replace

You turn the key or press the start button and nothing happens, or the engine turns over slowly and gives up. The battery is the usual suspect, but it is not always the culprit, and it does not always need replacing. Here is how to work out what you need, whether you are at home, at the office or stuck in a parking lot in Visakhapatnam.

Is it really the battery?

Look for these clues first:

• Clicking, slow cranking or dim dashboard lights usually point to a weak or flat battery.
• Everything electrical works but the engine does not crank can point to the starter motor or a connection rather than the battery.
• The engine cranks normally but does not start is usually a fuel, ignition or sensor issue, not the battery.
• A warning light for charging while driving suggests the alternator may not be charging the battery.

If the signs point to the battery, check the terminals. A white or green crust on the terminals, or a loose clamp, can stop the current even when the battery is fine.

When a jump-start or charge is enough

A healthy battery can go flat for simple reasons: headlights or an interior light left on, the car standing unused for a couple of weeks, or many short trips that never let it recharge. In these cases a jump-start gets you going, and a proper charge restores the battery. After a jump-start, drive for a while so the alternator can recharge it.

If the battery is relatively new and went flat for an obvious reason, a full charge is worth trying before you replace anything. Our battery charging service can charge and check it.

When it is time for a new battery

Replacement is usually due if:

• the battery goes flat again within days of a charge or jump-start
• the car cranks slowly every morning, even after a long drive the day before
• the case is swollen, cracked or leaking
• the battery is several years old and showing the signs above

Our article on signs your car battery needs replacing goes into more detail, and how to read a car battery label helps you find its age and model code.

Getting the right replacement

The new battery must match your car in size, terminal position and capacity, and some cars with start-stop need a specific battery type. Use our battery finder or browse car and SUV batteries by make. We deal in car batteries from Amaron, Exide, Dynex and UNO Minda.

We can come to you

If your car will not start, you may not be able to bring it to a shop. We offer home delivery with on-site fitting in Visakhapatnam, and we take your old battery in exchange. Send the car's make, model, year, fuel type and your location on WhatsApp to +91 98853 33960. A photo of the current battery label helps. We confirm the right battery, the price and when we can reach you. More details are on our delivery and pickup page.

Avoiding the next morning surprise

Drive the car at least once or twice a week for a reasonable distance, switch off lights and accessories before locking up, keep the terminals clean, and have the battery checked if it is a few years old. These habits prevent most dead-battery mornings.