Car will not start - what to check first
Before calling for a tow, check five things first. Most of the time the car is fine and you just need a boost, a fuse, or a key that talks to the transponder.
What you'll learn
- The difference between dead-battery symptoms and starter symptoms
- Why a clicking noise usually means battery, not starter
- When a stuck shift interlock prevents start (and how to bypass)
- Why transponder keys fail and what to try first
Step by step
- Check the dashboard. Do any lights come on when you turn the key to ON?
- Try turning the key (or pushing start) with the brake held firmly.
- If you hear rapid clicking, the battery is low. Try a jump.
- If you hear one click or silence, the starter or ignition may be bad.
- Check that the key fob has battery (swap with a spare if you have one).
- If the transmission is not fully in Park, move the shifter and try again.
If you have tried all five and the car still will not start, you need a tow. Ask the assigned operator what they can check on scene before quoting a tow.
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Keep learning.
Jump-start a dead battery safely
Jumper cables are simple until you hook them wrong. Do it right and you'll avoid sparks, ruined electronics, and a tow you didn't need.
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
The difference between a 20-minute shoulder stop and an hour on the phone with a tow company is knowing where the spare and jack live before you need them.
What to do if you slide on ice or hit a flooded underpass
New York winters glaze bridges and ramps before flat streets, and a heavy rain fills a highway underpass faster than it looks. First step: stop making it worse.