What To Do When Your Vehicle Battery Dies While Driving

Vehicle batteries naturally degrade after several years of use. When they reach the end of their lifespan, the amount of voltage that they generate drops. Owners typically realize that their batteries have died after repeated attempts to start their vehicle. However, can a battery die while driving? We’ll answer this and other FAQs on dying vehicle batteries in this article.

Can a Car Battery Die While Driving?

Absolutely. If your battery dies while driving, then one of two things could happen. If your vehicle’s alternator is functioning normally, then your vehicle won’t have any issues until you turn off your vehicle. Your vehicle will still be able to function because the alternator will still be able to provide it with enough electrical energy. However, since dead batteries don’t hold a charge anymore, your battery won’t have the stored electricity needed to start your vehicle again.

On the other hand, if your battery dies and the alternator isn’t functioning properly, then your vehicle will simply stall while you’re driving. Engines need electrical energy from the battery and alternator for parts like spark plugs, the powertrain control module, and various other essential electronics. Without power, critical engine functions won’t operate.

Batteries usually show several warning signs when they’re nearing the end of their lifespan. However, it’s fairly common for a dying battery to go unnoticed because it can be easy to brush off symptoms like a slower engine crank during start-up or dim headlights. Batteries also typically die once they’re around five years old, and people can forget about their battery’s lifespan in that period.

What Should You Do If Your Car Battery Dies While You’re Driving?

If ever your vehicle’s engine stops while you’re driving, you should try to safely move toward the side of the road. If you’re in the middle of the highway, try to signal immediately. The last thing you want is to run out of momentum in the middle of a busy road. This might be difficult considering you won’t have power steering when your vehicle stalls. Nevertheless, try not to panic and stay calm.

Once you’re safely on the shoulder, try to restart your vehicle. If it doesn’t start, try to give it a short rest and start it again. If your vehicle really won’t start, try to turn on your hazard lights. Your battery might not have enough juice to power the starter, but it might still be enough to turn on your hazard lights. Assuming your vehicle’s battery and alternator have died, your vehicle won’t work unless the issue is resolved. However, remember that other issues like a faulty fuel pump can cause your vehicle to stall. Nevertheless, you should seek help from roadside assistance.

What Would Happen If the Alternator Dies But Your Battery Still Has Charge?

In this scenario, your vehicle’s electronics and engine will still work, albeit for a limited amount of time. Before your battery runs out of charge, your vehicle might alert you that there’s an issue through an illuminated battery warning light. If you’re driving an older vehicle, you might notice symptoms like dim lights and soft speakers. This warning light typically illuminates if there’s an issue with your vehicle’s electrical system. More specifically, if the alternator doesn’t appear to be charging the battery. If you see this warning light, you should turn off as many electronics as possible to preserve power and have the issue checked by a mechanic immediately.

Understanding when your vehicle’s battery can fail can be useful considering they’re going to fail at some point in your vehicle’s lifespan. At the same time, you should be aware of the warning signs of a failing battery. Remember that a dead car battery can have varying consequences depending on the condition of your vehicle’s alternator. If both your vehicle’s battery and alternator fail while driving, remember to remain calm and take appropriate safety measures as you direct your stalled vehicle to the side of the road.

How Can You Prevent Dead Batteries?

Whether you’re on a busy highway or an empty dirt road in the middle of nowhere, getting stranded due to a dead car battery isn’t an ideal situation. If you want to avoid problems like this, it’s a good idea to invest in a CarParts+ membership.

CarParts+ offers excellent benefits, including 24/7 roadside assistance. Coverage includes a 15-mile tow, battery boost, tire change, lockout assistance, and fuel delivery (up to 3 services per year). Some of these services make it a breeze to spot and deal with battery issues immediately.
You’ll also get access to other exclusive perks such as VIP Customer Service, Free Shipping, and Extended Returns. Sign up today to have that extra confidence on the road.