Everything depends on whether the battery failure surprised us at home, in the city or on a long journey. In each case it is worth to have starting cables with you, which will allow to start car temporarily and avoid calling for a tow truck. Then it is necessary to diagnose the cause of the fault in order to undertake proper and economical actions.
What to do with a flat battery?
If the fault occurs at home, you should immediately check the state of the battery. To do this, simply use an electrical tester called a multimeter. Open circuit voltage should be no less than 12.5 V – if it is below 10.5 V, the battery needs to be replaced. You can temporarily draw starting current from a kind neighbour’s car or charge the battery with a charger – at least for 15 minutes. Then, after starting the engine, make a longer trip, even if only for half an hour, in order to recharge the battery thanks to the alternator. If this is not possible, it is worth arranging a battery check or replacement via the Motointegrator search engine.
Why does the battery go flat?
Battery failure can result from a defective battery, but also from many other reasons. The most common include: lights on at night, door not closed or a faulty electrical device in the car causing a short circuit. We can check this with an electric meter by removing fuses one by one, but this is tedious and time-consuming work. In turn, to exclude faults in the starter, ignition and charging systems, it is absolutely necessary to make an appointment at a professional garage, where professionals will check their individual components. Only then will we know for sure why the battery is discharging.
When battery replacement becomes necessary, it is advisable to have it done at a service centre, and leave the old battery for disposal, which will save additional costs and problems.