Get Started
When the battery can no longer keep the car running, dealing with a dead car battery can be miserable during Calgary’s harsher days. You can insert the key or push the start button and get nothing, a clicking sound or a starter motor that cranks slowly. Sometimes the lights work, but the engine won’t turn over.
How To Get Your Car Started If Its Battery Dies in Calgary — Knowing what to do when your car battery dies in Calgary is essential for staying safe, preventing further damage and getting back on the road as quickly as possible.
Reasons That Car Batteries Die in Calgary
Vehicle batteries in Calgary face unfair weather abuse. Colder weather means a battery has less power, and starting the engine requires more.
Several other problems can also drain your battery.
Cold Weather
Winter temperatures can significantly reduce battery performance. Even if a battery works fine in warm weather, it may not produce enough power on an extremely cold morning.
This issue is especially common in batteries used in cars for 3 or more years or in vehicles that do a lot of short trips.
Leaving Lights or Accessories On
A simple mistake like leaving headlights, interior lights, chargers, or other electronic accessories on can conk out your battery.
Even newer vehicles can develop a dead battery if power accessories run for too long without the engine running.
An Old Battery
Do not assume car batteries last forever. Battery capacity slowly declines over time.
If your car has recently required several boost starts, the issue may not be as simple as a drained battery. You may need to test or replace the battery internally.
Alternator Problems
When the engine is on, the alternator charges the battery. Another sign of poor alternator function is that your battery doesn’t receive enough charge.
This can cause continual starting issues even after the car has been boosted.
How To Handle A Dead Car Battery?
First, stay calm and assess your surroundings.
If the vehicle is in a safe parking lot, driveway, or other safe area, you have more options. But if you are stopped alongside a busy Calgary road, your priority must be your safety.
Get To Safety If At All Possible
If the issue occurs while your vehicle is still running and you suspect a problem with your battery or charging system, get to a safe location if you can.
Don’t risk yourself by trying to push the vehicle on a busy road if your engine has already stopped.
If your hazard lights work, turn them on and make sure you’re well clear of moving traffic.
Tip 1: Check What the Vehicle Is Doing
Start it once and see what happens.
If you hear a clicking noise, the engine cranks for over two seconds, or there’s no movement at all, the battery is likely weak or dead. But a car that will not start could also suffer from issues with the starter, alternator, fuel system, ignition system, or something else.
If you smell burning, see smoke, notice leaking battery fluid or see obvious battery damage, do not jump the car.
Jumpstarting a dead car battery
Sometimes, the battery has run out of juice, and a battery boost can help get your vehicle going once again.
If you have jumper wires and another vehicle, you can jumpstart it. You still need to know the process for your vehicle.
If it is a normal negatively grounded vehicle, the common order of connection is:
- Turn off all onboard systems on both vehicles, and park both vehicles (or put them in neutral) with the parking brakes applied.
- Attach the red positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
- Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the healthy battery.
- Attach the black cable to the negative terminal of the working battery.
- Attach the opposite end of the black wire to a suitable unpainted metal ground on the disabled car, remote from the battery.
- Start the car with the working battery.
- Try starting the car with the dead battery.
- When it is running, take off the cables in the reverse order.
Every vehicle manufacturer can have its own procedure, especially with modern vehicles and hybrid systems, so if possible, consult your owner’s manual.
Call Roadside Assistance When You Have to
You do not have to deal with a dead battery.
Professional roadside assistance is also a better option if you don’t have jumper cables, no suitable vehicle to boost the battery, or you are not comfortable performing the procedure.
A professional roadside assistance service will bring the needed equipment and try to start your vehicle.
This can be invaluable if your car battery dies in Calgary, especially overnight in winter, in an unknown location, or where working around the vehicle would be dangerous.
What if the Battery Boost is not working?
Battery boost does not mean the battery is the only problem.
If your vehicle still does not start after the right boost, the battery itself, alternator, starter, electrical system, fuel system or another mechanical component may be involved.
Trying to crank it multiple times may temporarily mask the symptoms, but it will not fix the root cause.
When this happens, the safest and most practical choice may be to tow it to a shop.
How to Avoid a Dead Battery in Calgary
With a few simple public safety tips, you can reduce your risk of getting stuck.
Check Your Battery Regularly
If your battery is getting old or your car cranks slowly, check the battery and charging system.
Watch for Warning Signs
Be aware of signs like:
- Slow engine cranking
- Clicking when starting
- Dim headlights
- Electrical accessories behaving unusually
- Battery warning light
- Needing frequent boosts
- Difficulty starting on cold mornings
However, these signs can also indicate a failing battery, so it’s worth getting it checked.
Take Care During Winter
Calgary winters can add another burden on your vehicle. In extreme cold, if possible, park your vehicle in a garage or sheltered area.
A block heater is also beneficial for any vehicle that can accommodate one, especially in extremely cold weather.
Store Emergency Equipment In Your Vehicle
Keeping a set of jumper cables or a reliable portable jump starter in your car is also helpful. Flashlights, gloves, warm clothes, reflective equipment, and basic roadside safety tools are also useful emergency tools.
Do you want a Battery Boost or Towing?
It depends on what is stopping your vehicle from actually starting; you will need the right service.
A battery boost is usually indicated when the battery is depleted, and the vehicle otherwise seems to be functioning properly.
If the vehicle still won’t start after a boost, the battery is faulty, there is a mechanical issue, or you can’t drive it safely, towing is essential.
If you’re unsure, roadside assistance can assess the issue and decide whether you need a boost or a tow.
How to Be Safe When Your Battery Goes Dead
It is annoying that your battery is dead, but it must not become dangerous
In other circumstances, like heavy traffic in Calgary, bad weather or a remote area, be careful and don’t try to repair the car on your own.
Activate your hazard lights if you can to minimize danger, move away from moving cars, and call roadside assistance only if you require expert help.
Final Thoughts
A flat car battery is often the last thing you want to deal with, and is surprisingly typical in Calgary’s long chilly season. It could be as simple as forgetting to turn off the lights, but it could also be an aging battery, an alternator issue, or another car problem.
If your car is in a safe position and you know how to do it right, a battery boost might get you back on the road. If you lack the equipment or the vehicle refuses to start, professional roadside assistance and towing are the safest option.
Preventive maintenance before winter, knowing how to spot early warning signs, and keeping basic emergency supplies in the vehicle can reduce the chance of getting stuck when you rely on your car most.