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What To Do If You Have a Flat Car Battery

It's happened to most of us at least once - you go out to your car one morning - and the battery is flat. Usually at the most inconvenient time. A flat car battery is one of the most common reasons drivers find themselves stuck - especially on cold mornings or after long periods of the car sitting idle. The good news? It’s often easy to fix, and we’re here to help.



How Do You Know If Your Battery Is Flat?

Common signs of a flat battery include:

  • The engine won’t turn over (or turns very slowly)

  • Dashboard lights are dim or flickering

  • Clicking sound when you turn the key or push the start button

  • No electrical power (e.g. radio, windows, lights not working)


What To Do If You Have a Flat Battery

1. Check It's the Battery

Before jumping to conclusions, make sure it’s the battery. If lights and electrics are working but the engine won’t start, the problem could be elsewhere (like the starter motor or ignition system).


2. Try Jump-Starting the Car

You can use jump leads and another vehicle or a portable jump starter. Here’s how:

Jump Start Instructions (With Another Vehicle):

  1. Park the working car close by and turn both engines off.

  2. Connect red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery.

  3. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive terminal of the good battery.

  4. Connect black lead to the negative (–) terminal of the good battery.

  5. Connect the other end of the black lead to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the flat battery (not the battery itself).

  6. Start the working car. Wait a few minutes.

  7. Try starting the car with the flat battery.

  8. Once it starts, remove the leads in reverse order.

⚠️ Not comfortable with this? Don’t risk it. Give us a call and we’ll advise what to do next.


3. Drive or Charge the Battery

After a jump start, keep the engine running for at least 20–30 minutes, or go for a drive to help the battery recharge. However, if the battery goes flat again quickly, it likely needs replacing. It's best to take it into the garage to get it tested before it has a chance to let you down again.


Can a Flat Battery Be Repaired?

Sometimes - especially if it’s simply been drained (e.g. lights left on overnight) - the battery will recharge and be fine.

But if it’s old, faulty, or can’t hold a charge, it’s time for a replacement. Most car batteries last 3–5 years, depending on driving habits, weather, and maintenance.


Varta Car Batteries
Varta Car Batteries

 How to Avoid a Flat Battery

  • Don’t leave lights or electronics on when parked

  • Drive regularly, especially in winter

  • Have your battery tested annually (we offer free battery checks!)

  • Replace an ageing battery before it lets you down


Need Help with a Dead Battery?

At PW Auto Repairs, we offer:

  • Free battery checks

  • Battery replacement

  • High-quality batteries fitted same day


If your car won’t start, give us a call — or pop in for a fast and friendly service.


Call - 01636 550852

Visit us - Telford Drive, Newark, NG24 2DX

 
 
 

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