Signs it’s the battery
- A rapid clicking when you turn the key or press start
- The dashboard comes on but dims or goes out when you try to start
- The engine turns over slowly, then gives up
- Nothing at all, and the central locking didn’t work either
If the engine cranks at normal speed but won’t start, the battery is probably fine and the fault is elsewhere: fuel, ignition or a sensor. A jump won’t help, so tell us and we’ll plan for a tow.
After the jump
Drive for at least 30 minutes, ideally not in stop-start traffic, to put some charge back. If it’s flat again the next morning, the battery is probably at the end of its life. A three-to-five-year-old battery that has gone flat twice is due for replacement. If something is draining it overnight, a garage will need to find it.
Modern cars need care
Start-stop cars with AGM or EFB batteries, hybrids and cars with lots of electronics can be damaged by careless jump starts, especially from another car’s leads. Our operators use proper booster packs and the car’s own jump points.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can you jump start an automatic or hybrid?
Yes. Automatics jump like any other car, using the battery or jump points. Hybrids usually have a 12 V battery that starts the car’s systems, and that’s the one that gets jumped. The operator will know where it is.
What if the jump start doesn’t work?
Then it’s probably not just the battery. We can tow the car to a garage or home on the same call. Ask for the combined price up front.
Do you fit new batteries?
Some operators in our network carry common batteries. Ask when you call and give us the make, model and year.