Your car’s safety switch can also malfunction, preventing the car from detecting which gear is selected. A mechanic can diagnose issues with your safety switch. [2] X Research source
If your car doesn’t have a slot to insert your key fob, check to make sure you have your key fob in the car or somewhere on your person. If your car does have a place to insert your key fob, make sure it’s inserted correctly. If you’ve definitely inserted your key fob correctly, or it’s somewhere in the car with you (if your car has no slot for it), then it’s possible that the key fob’s battery is dead. Replace its battery and try starting your car again.
To fix this, insert your key (or press the car’s start button) and try turning the wheel side to side to disengage the locking mechanism.
Add a small amount of fuel to your car before trying to start it. You can go to a gas station and add gas directly to a fuel jug. Then add the fuel to your gas tank the way you normally would at a fuel pump.
Try a different set of jumper cables if you’re not sure whether yours are working.
Use a voltmeter to check your car battery, or ask a mechanic to do so. If the output reads less than 12. 4 volts, you may need to replace the battery. [7] X Research source
A fault in your car’s electronics can be hard to diagnose on your own. Take it to a local mechanic, or to a dealership where you’ll find someone with expertise in your car’s specific make and model.
Ask a mechanic to check your alternator and replace it if needed.
Take your car to a shop to have a pro diagnose issues with your starter, and replace it if needed.
As with alternators, starters, and other electrical issues, take your car to a mechanic to fix problems with its fuel system.
You can also refer to your car’s owner’s manual for a section on jumping/emergency starting.
Make sure both steering wheels are pointed away from traffic or other hazards. You may need to move your car to a good spot by putting it in neutral and having someone push it from behind. If your car has broken down in the middle of a busy road or highway, don’t attempt to move it yourself. Call for a tow truck or roadside assistance.
If you can’t find the batteries, check each car’s manual for the exact battery location. Some batteries have plastic covers on them. If yours does, carefully remove this cover and set it aside.
If possible, have someone assist you by holding the other end of the jumper cables to make sure they remain separate. To prevent electric shocks, never touch the battery terminals with your hands. Never touch the metal clamps once they are connected to the battery, either.
Be sure to prevent the clamps on the other end of the cable from touching each other.
Do not connect the black clamp to the black negative (-) terminal on the non-working car.
Press the gas pedal in the working car to throttle the engine. This helps increase the amount of power delivered to the dead car’s battery.
Press the gas pedal on the jumped car to throttle the engine. This delivers more power, which helps charge the battery.
Once all 4 clamps have been removed, they are no longer “live,” meaning they aren’t carrying electricity. Place your cables in your car’s trunk or another storage compartment for future use.
While it’s possible to replace a car battery yourself, it’s safer to let a mechanic do it.
Have a tow truck take your car to a mechanic. If your car is in a garage or parking lot, leave it there until the truck arrives. Don’t try to move your car yourself if it breaks down on a highway, busy street, or in an unsafe area. Stay in your car until the tow truck arrives.
Roadside assistants will come to your car wherever it breaks down, when possible. They’ll be able to diagnose basic problems, jump-start your vehicle, or have your car taken to a mechanic. You can also call for help in unsafe weather conditions, such as in heavy rain or snow.
