Dead car battery issues often result from poor usage habits or external conditions. The lifespan of car batteries depends on how they are used. Typically, they can last more than three years—sometimes up to seven—when correctly charged, used regularly, and not repeatedly discharged and recharged. If a dead car battery occurs in under three years, the likely causes include lack of use, low electrolyte levels, excessive cycling, terminal corrosion, charging system problems, or internal cell damage.
When you’re going for a long drive, it’s best to ensure that your battery is in excellent condition—or better yet, carry a second battery or bring a battery bank with you. But if you are already driving miles away—or even if you have not driven out of the garage yet—and you suddenly experience a dead car battery, there are a few fixes you can try to revive it. Some of these solutions will require certain tools and materials, such as the following:
- Distilled water
- Epsom salt
- Aspirin
- Chock
- Axle stands
- Rope
- Chainsaw
- 18-volt drill battery
- Jump lead
- Lighter
Disclaimer: You should at least be familiar with a dead car battery and certain car parts to be able to do these fixes. If you are unsure, it’s better to hire the services of an auto professional.
The following are seven unconventional ways to revive a dead car battery:
1. Use Epsom Salt Solution
If the problem is caused by a low electrolyte level, using Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to make an electrolyte solution will help revive your dead car battery. Check out this article on how to check your battery’s electrolyte level. Epsom salt is a stronger acid, which contains a variety of hydrates, and it might help tip the chemical balance and deliver enough charge to start the engine.
To help revive a dead car battery, you can make a distilled water and Epsom salt solution by dissolving 1 part Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) in 3 parts warm, distilled water. Carefully add the solution to each battery cell until the plates are covered by about ¼ to ½ inch of electrolyte. For a more detailed, step-by-step process on how to perform this safely, refer to this article.
2. The Hard Hand Cranking Method
If you’re stuck with a dead car battery and no jump-start tools, the ‘hand cranking method’ can be a last-resort option—though it requires caution and physical effort. Start by jacking up the rear-wheel drive and securing it with axle stands for stability. Ensure the front wheels must be chocked securely by placing the chocks squarely in the center of each tyre. Shift the vehicle into fifth gear and turn the ignition on. Then, wrap a rope around the drive tyre and pull hard in the wheel’s natural direction of rotation. With enough force, this action can turn the engine over and potentially start the motor.
3. The Chainsaw Method
Another creative way to deal with a dead car battery is the ‘chainsaw method,’ which uses a chainsaw to spin the alternator and recharge the battery. To begin, remove the chain, blade, and spoked drive sprocket from the chainsaw so that it functions like a pulley. Next, detach the drive belts from the alternator. Use one of the belts to connect the chainsaw’s drive spindle to the alternator’s drive pulley. This setup allows the chainsaw to manually drive the alternator and charge the battery. You can check out this video for a detailed step-by-step demonstration.
Engage your drive belt and start the chainsaw while applying gentle pressure on the belt. Keep it going until it starts to charge the dead car battery. While this method works, it can be potentially risky because unguarded belts can go spinning at high speed. Take extra precaution when doing this procedure, or don’t attempt it altogether if you’re unsure.
4. Use Aspirin Solution
If you have distilled water and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), you can make a solution to chemically alter the electrolyte mix and possibly revive a dead car battery. To create the solution, crush twelve 350 mg or 500 mg aspirin tablets and dissolve the powder in about 6 oz of warm, distilled water. Then, add equal amounts to each battery cell. You may need to top up with more distilled water to ensure the plates are fully covered.
5. The 18-Volt Drill Battery Method
The 18-volt drill battery method works like a jump start method. To do this, you need a fully charged 18-volt drill battery and jump leads. You can buy these from auto shops. Using the jump leads or other adaptations, you need to makeshift the connection between your dead car battery to the 18-volt drill battery. This allows the drill battery to connect to the dead battery like a standard jump start method.
6. Use Distilled Water
Adding distilled water may help submerge the plates and enable more reaction to give the engine a few more turns—especially if the issue stems from low electrolyte levels. This can be a simple way to support a weak or dead car battery. Using distilled water alone as an electrolyte booster is a helpful alternative when Epsom salt or aspirin isn’t available.
7. The Hot Ash Method
The hot ash method should be used as a ‘last resort’ – you only use this when all else fails. First, you need to light a fire and let it burn down to hot ashes. Then remove the filler/vent caps from the top of the battery, take the battery off the car, and place it on the hot ash. Be careful and make you it doesn’t catch fire. The hot ashes should warm the battery up. Reinstall the battery carefully and try to restart your ignition.
Prevent Car Battery Damage
When your car battery fails, you won’t be able to start your engine. Usually, dead car batteries may be revived – at least temporarily – to get you back on the road. However, the accumulation of damage may lead to an untimely demise of your car battery, and this typically needs to be replaced.
But as the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. It’s still better to prevent car battery damage than revive or replace a dead one.
Here are tips to prevent car battery damage:
- Make sure to use your car battery regularly.
- Fully charge unused batteries on a float charger before you use it to drive around. A float charger has a float voltage that maintains a full charge without overcharging the battery.
- Prevent excessive deep cycling.
- Make sure that your charging system is functioning properly.
The Bottom Line
When you are in a remote location, and you cannot start your engine due to battery failure, it can cost you big time. It’s better to be prepared and bring an ‘emergency’ battery with you, especially when you plan to travel long routes. Also, carrying a jump start cable, distilled water, aspirin, 18-volt drill battery, chainsaw, a lighter, and the other tools mentioned above will be of good use when you experience sudden battery failure.
You can try the above fixes whenever you experience car battery failure, whether you are still in the garage or while travelling. These fixes should be done withutmost care and you should attempt any of them at your own risk.
If you need further advice, or for a certified technician to assess your vehicle’s battery, call us on (07) 3269 3158 or book a job using the button below. We are located 113 Connaught Street Sandgate QLD 4017. Feel free to visit us at any time.