Why won’t my car start?

If your vehicle won’t start, it’s most likely a problem with your battery or the ignition and starting system:

• Your battery is drained (but healthy): It’s the best-case scenario: you accidentally left on your lights, or some other battery-draining feature. A jump start will send you on your way, lesson learned.
• Your battery is too old to hold a charge: It’s time for a new battery. If your jump start fails – or your car won’t start the next day – have your battery tested.
• Your starting system needs service: It’s not your battery. There’s a mechanical problem preventing ignition, draining your battery, or keeping your battery from charging as you drive.

If a single jump start doesn’t solve your starting problems, have your battery professionally tested. If your battery is healthy, it’s time for diagnostic service, beginning with your starter and alternator.

Why won’t my car start if it’s not the battery?

If your vehicle won’t start with a fully-charged and healthy battery, the usual suspects are problems with your starter, your alternator, your ignition switch, your spark plugs or your fuses. It’s also worthwhile to clean your battery terminals and connectors if they’re dirty or corroded and see if your car will start. But the only way to be sure your battery is healthy is to test it with a voltmeter. When you have your vehicle towed to Roseville Kia, it’s the first thing we’ll check.

Related link: Learn about Starter and Alternator service.

About Car Battery Replacement

The best time to think about your car battery is before it goes dead and leaves you stranded. So, we’re here to test your battery regularly and replace it when its voltage is low… but not too low.

When should a car battery be replaced?

A car battery should be replaced when its capacity has dropped below 12 volts - which happens to most batteries after three to seven years of use. Here are some signs that your battery is running critically low:

• Your battery won’t accept a charge: You hear rapid clicks instead of your engine cranking -- and jump-starting doesn’t help. You’ll need a new battery to get rolling again.
• Your battery can’t hold a charge: Jump-starting works, but you have to jump-start repeatedly. Replace your battery as soon as you can. You’re at risk of being stranded.
• Your battery shows low voltage on a voltmeter.

How does car battery testing work?

Request a car battery check appointment at the first sign of trouble starting your vehicle (unless you drained the battery by accident, and a jump start solves the problem indefinitely). Your local Roseville Kia technician will test your battery’s voltage with a voltmeter and help you select a new battery if the time has come. If your battery’s healthy, we’ll diagnose the real problem.

How do you test your car battery if your car won’t start?

You’ll get the most thorough testing by having your vehicle towed to Roseville Kia. If you remove your battery and bring it to Roseville Kia, we can test it - but we won’t be able to test your charging system. (That’s the next step if we find your battery is in good shape.)

How long does a car battery last?

Most car batteries last from three to seven years, depending on climate and driving patterns. With such a long time window for your battery to potentially fail, it’s smart to incorporate battery testing into your regular maintenance cycle. Don’t get stranded!

How long does it take to replace a car battery?

At Roseville Kia, it takes 20-30 minutes to replace a car battery on most vehicles. Our battery replacement service includes cleaning the battery tray and terminals to get rid of battery acid and other debris. We also recycle your old battery.

What size battery do I need for my car?

Your vehicle owner’s manual will tell you what size battery you need. Your local Roseville Kia technician can answer any questions you have about the battery specifications for your make and model.