A flat battery always seems to happen at the worst moment: in a dark car park, on the side of the road, or when you’re already running late. Here’s what to do in the first few minutes to stay safe and get going sooner.
1. Get somewhere safe
If you’re on the road, turn on your hazard lights and, if it’s safe, get out on the side away from traffic. On a busy road or the highway, wait behind the barrier rather than in the car.
2. Switch everything off
Turn off the headlights, air conditioning, radio and any chargers. Every bit of power you save gives a jump start a better chance of working.
3. Don’t keep cranking
If the car clicks or turns over slowly, stop after two or three tries. Cranking over and over drains the battery further and can overheat the starter motor.
4. Tell us exactly where you are
Car parks, new suburbs and roadside stops can be hard to describe. Use the Share my location button on our site and your phone sends us a map link by text. If you’re in a multi-level car park, tell us the level and bay number too.
Jump starting yourself? Do it safely
If you have leads and a helpful driver nearby, follow your owner’s manual. The usual order is:
- Park the cars close, without touching, and switch both off.
- Connect red to the flat battery’s positive terminal, then to the good battery’s positive.
- Connect black to the good battery’s negative, then to bare metal on the flat car, away from the battery.
- Start the good car, wait a minute, then try yours.
- Remove the leads in the reverse order.
The battery is cracked, swollen or leaking, or you can smell rotten eggs. Many modern cars also have dedicated jump points, so check your manual first.
What happens when we arrive
We jump start the car with a surge-protected pack, then test the battery and charging system. If the battery is worn out, we can fit a new one there and then, so you aren’t stuck again tomorrow morning.
