Being stuck with a dead battery is never a fun situation and can create potential hazards for drivers. With some basic maintenance and awareness, the need to jumpstart your car can be largely avoided and out of mind for most. To help you keep your car’s battery running strong and away from the jumper cables, the team at OHS Towing has 3 pieces of advice to avoid the need for a jumpstart.

3 Tips to Avoid the Need to Jumpstart Your Car

1. Keep the Battery in Good Condition

Like any other battery, your car battery will eventually run out of juice and need to be replaced. That doesn’t mean you should wait until you are broken down on the side of the road to do so. The average life of a car battery before it starts to cause issues is usually between 3 and 4 years depending on location, driving habits, and other variables. If it’s been more than 3 years since you last had your battery replaced or you notice corrosion around the terminals (where jumper cables go) have it inspected and replace as needed.

2. Pay Attention After You Park

An easily avoidable and quite common cause of a dead car battery is a light being left on or a door that didn’t close completely. While it may seem like one light wouldn’t be enough to drain a strong car battery, the slow, overnight leak of power is a very common cause of needing a jumpstart. Before you leave your car for the evening, double-check that all of your electronic components are turned off, and the doors and trunk are closed. It only takes 5 seconds and will save you a headache in the morning.

3. Check Your Alternator

Your alternator is a crucial component to keeping a well-charged battery. This device recharges your car battery while driving and generally requires no maintenance unless it fails. However, if it does fail, it will need to be replaced or repaired to get your car back in working order. If you notice your battery dying more often or the battery indicator on your dash is illuminated, a mechanic can perform an alternator test for a small fee and give you a better idea of what the problem might be.

If you need a jumpstart, vehicle towing, or other wrecker services in the Columbia Falls, MT, area, look no further than OHS Towing. They serve the community with high-quality towing, lockout, and jumpstart services 24 hours a day. Call (406) 892-1600 if you need emergency help, or visit their website to see all of the services they have to offer.