3 Safe Ways to Move a Car with a Dead Battery

3 Safe Ways to Move a Car with a Dead Battery

The dreaded click click click sound of a dead car battery isn’t a noise anyone likes to hear. It’s especially unwelcome if you’re an auto shop or impound lot manager well aware that time is money! You need to figure out how to get the car moved as efficiently and safely as possible. But what if you’re somewhere away from supplies, the weather is bad (not unlikely in Michigan!) or worst of all, you’re blocking a driveway or traffic? 

How do you move a car with a dead battery? Here are 3 options to consider and how to pull them off safely.

#1: Push a Car With a Dead Battery

This is an option which should only be considered if weather and traffic allow you to be outside of the car safely. Also, never attempt to push a car alone or uphill. If you are with at least one other person, not on an incline so as not to risk the car rolling backward, and not in dangerous conditions, here’s how to push the car to where you want it to go: 

• One person should be behind the wheel, and the other behind the car, keeping a good distance from the rear wheels. 

• The person in the driver’s seat should engage the parking brake, then put the key in the ignition and turn it to the “on” position to unlock the steering wheel.

• If possible, lower the window to enable good communication between the driver and the person pushing. 

• Shift into neutral, then release the parking brake.

• While the driver steers, the person behind the car should push on a sturdy portion of the back of the car, using their leg strength.

• Once you get the car to where you want it, you can get the tools you need or call someone for assistance.

#2: Hire a Tow Truck to Move a Car with a Dead Battery

If you’ve got a lot of traffic coming and going, it’s a torrential downpour, you’re by yourself, or you just plain don’t think pushing is practical, it’s wise to simply enlist the help of a tow truck. If you have access to one, great! Let the towing begin. If you don’t have any towing equipment available in a fleet of your own, there are a few things you should look into before you make a call to an outside source.

• Contact your company insurance to see if they cover towing and if they have any preferred providers or distance limitations. 

• Call the nearest towing company in case they charge by the mile vs. a flat fee. Don’t forget to ask what type of payment they accept! You might also want to inquire about their towing equipment. A flatbed towing option can be better than a hook and chain as far as avoiding any possible damage to the car. Though you don’t want to waste too much time, it might be worth it in the long run to shop around a bit.

• If your lot doesn’t have the capabilities for repair work, be sure the towing company allows you to choose where you want the car to be towed.

#3: Use a Forklift Wrecker to Move a Car with a Dead Battery

Why wait and go through all that stress when you can save time, money, and manpower by using a Forklift Wrecker? After all, you know this dead car battery will not be your last! 

A Forklift Wrecker is the perfect long-term investment for a business like yours that needs to move cars on a regular basis. Designed with a mechanical auto-load wheel lift, it makes moving cars with dead batteries, flat tires, or accident damage a breeze. In just three easy steps, you can quickly and safely secure the car and move it without any possible damage, or any danger to you. No pushing. No calling for a tow. No problem! 

If your impound lot or auto garage is constantly dealing with dead car batteries or other frustrations when trying to move cars around, the Forklift Wrecker is not only one of the safest solutions, but also one of the smartest! It’s fast, easy, durable, and reliable, and will save you time, money, and labor in the long run. To learn more, contact our team online or call 877-593-6959 today. 

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