Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Car Repair FAQs for Drivers on the Road

  • Check whether you’ve accidentally run out of fuel, or if your battery or alternator light is on.
    If everything looks fine, try restarting the car once — if it doesn’t start, call for roadside assistance.

  • To choose a reliable towing service in Georgia, research online reviews and ask for recommendations to check a company's reputation and professionalism. Confirm the company is licensed and insured, offers 24/7 service with a fast response time, and provides transparent pricing with a written estimate. Also, consider companies with experienced staff, well-maintained equipment, and a variety of additional roadside assistance services. 

    1. Park on a flat, safe area away from traffic.

    2. Turn on hazard lights and apply the parking brake.

    3. Place the jack under the car’s lift point, raise the vehicle, and remove the lug nuts.

    4. Swap the flat tire with the spare tire, tighten the nuts, and lower the car.
      (Check your owner’s manual for exact jack points.)

  • Use jumper cables and another vehicle:

    1. Connect red to the positive (+) terminals on both batteries.

    2. Connect black to the negative (–) on the good battery and a metal surface on the dead car (not the battery).

    3. Start the working car, wait a minute, then try starting your car.

    4. Let your engine run for at least 15 minutes afterward.

    If it still won’t start — your battery or alternator may need professional attention.

    1. Pull over immediately and turn off the engine.

    2. Wait at least 15–20 minutes before opening the hood.

    3. Once cool, check the coolant level — if low, top it up with water or coolant if available.
      Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

  • Turn off the engine, then check if the battery terminals are loose or corroded.
    If loose, tighten them gently with a wrench. If there’s corrosion, clean it with a dry cloth — never touch it with bare hands.

  • If your lights and electronics still work but the engine doesn’t crank, it could be a starter or ignition issue.
    Try shifting the gear to Neutral (N) and restarting — if that fails, call for assistance.

  • Pull over immediately, turn off the engine, and move a safe distance from the car.
    Do not open the hood right away — smoke may indicate an electrical or oil leak. Call for help.

  • You can top up fluids temporarily, but leaks need professional repair.
    Use this only as a short-term measure to reach a safe location or repair shop.

  • Response times vary depending on your location, but most roadside services arrive within 20–45 minutes.
    Always confirm your location as accurately as possible to speed things up.

  • If it’s something simple (like a flat tire, dead battery, or loose cable) and you’re confident it’s safe, you may try.
    Otherwise, it’s best to wait for a qualified technician to avoid injury or further damage.

  • Check your fuse box (usually under the dashboard). If you find a blown fuse, replace it with one of the same amperage.
    Keep spare fuses in your glove box — they’re inexpensive and easy to replace.

  • If you smell fuel, hear unusual noises, or anything involves electrical systems, brakes, or steering, don’t attempt a fix.
    Your safety comes first — wait for a certified roadside technician.

all about your battery

  • When two dissimilar materials, such as positive and negative plates (electrodes), are immersed in an electrolyte (such as a solution of sulfuric acid and water), voltage is generated. The voltage developed is determined by the electrode materials used and the electrolyte used. A lead battery cell produces approximately 2.1 volts. A typical lead battery has six cells and is known as a 12-volt battery.

    A complete circuit between the positive and negative terminals results in the chemical reaction between the electrodes and the electrolyte, which generates electrical current. If a battery is rechargeable, such as a lead battery, running current in the opposite direction with a charger will return the electrodes and electrolyte to their original states.

  • Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or existing battery label for the correct battery group size, type (standard, AGM, or EFB), and Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating. Always choose a battery that matches or exceeds your vehicle’s specifications for the best performance and fit.

  • Having a reliable battery is more crucial than you may imagine. It not only provides electricity to start your vehicle, but it also serves other crucial functions in its operation.

    The primary function of most vehicle batteries is to power the starter and ignition system, allowing the engine to be cranked or started. The battery also provides additional power when the vehicle's electrical load exceeds the charging system's capacity. This implies that your battery must also provide electricity to all of the electronics and accessories that are installed or plugged into your vehicle or boat. Duracell AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat batteries do not contain free-flowing acid. Special microfiber glass mats absorb acid, preventing the battery from spilling or leaking. This glass mat substance reinforces the battery's interior components, allowing it to resist the demands of several accessory loads.

    The battery also functions as a voltage stabilizer in the electrical system. The battery reduces large voltage spikes, which can occur when a vehicle's electrical system is quickly turned off. Without the battery's protection, these abnormally high voltages could destroy other components in the electrical system.

  • The battery is a component of a system. When installing your new Duracell battery, make sure to verify all related components. When handling batteries, make sure to follow all safety guidelines! To avoid deadly sparks, always unplug grounded cables first and reattach them last!

    Do not attempt the following vehicle maintenance without training or proper instructions:

    • Check the cables.
    • Remove rust from battery holddowns, wires, and trays.
    • Verify that the voltage regulator and alternator output satisfy the correct parameters.
    • Repair any shorts (loads that are on when they should be off) in the electrical system.
    • If a load is left on and the battery becomes discharged, recharge immediately.
    • Always tighten the wires and secure the batteries appropriately.

    NOTE: Remember to always wear safety glasses and a face shield when working on or near batteries. Always protect your eyes!

  • What's inside the battery makes a significant difference. A battery gets charged and drained thousands of times over its lifetime.

    To ensure the highest quality product, all Duracell batteries are manufactured using cutting-edge automated technology. These batteries are subjected to rigorous testing and quality control tests to assure reliability. All internal components are constructed from the finest raw materials available. These raw ingredients are purified, checked for quality, and performance using cutting-edge equipment.

    Advanced technological elements have been implemented throughout the battery design to ensure Duracell's proven reliability and endurance.

  • Even in cold climates, a battery under the hood of your car can reach dangerously high temperatures. Tighter engine spaces and increased servicing demands have resulted in higher under-hood temperatures than ever before.

    When it's cold, engines are more difficult to start, and your battery is put to the test. Its ability to start your automobile can be determined by how well it tolerated increased under-the-hood temperatures.

    That is why Duracell Premium vehicle batteries include additional features that allow them to endure higher temperatures. An additional acid reservoir, stronger internal components, and a unique reactive formula are just a few of the characteristics employed to provide improved longevity and maintenance-free performance in any climate.

  • AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat. Duracell AGM batteries have no free-flowing acid. Special microfiber glass mats absorb acid, preventing the battery from spilling or leaking. They are tightly pressed against the battery's power-storage components and have a lower electrical resistance, allowing for faster starting power.

    This glass mat material also protects and reinforces the battery's internal components, making it very resistant to vibration and shaking damage. Reinforcing the battery's interior components also increases its capacity to bear the demands of many accessory loads (your vehicle's numerous gadgets). The Duracell battery's original equipment design makes full use of its interior space. This improves efficiency by utilizing all of the available volume and headspace within the battery to boost power and performance. The Original Equipment design also fits better into more applications and requires less retrofitting.

    Duracell AGM designs are spill-proof and require no maintenance. They are also among the most durable and reliable battery designs available.

  • Duracell lead batteries are among the most recycled items in the planet. Lead batteries are more likely to be recycled than glass, metal, or newsprint. In fact, almost all of the battery components may be recycled to create a new battery.

    Duracell battery providers participate in a program that recycles batteries at one of the world's most advanced and ecologically friendly facilities.


    Make sure to recycle your batteries with someone you can trust. Return it to the Duracell lead battery provider.

  • Yes. The Duracell AGM design offers additional protection against deep discharge and many cycle damage. This allows for longer life even with repeated charge/discharging cycles. In fact, Duracell AGM batteries offer double the cycle life of normal flooded batteries and recharge faster, giving more auxiliary power for longer.

  • Yes. Optima uses AGM technology with high-capacity spiral plates to provide power in harsh situations. The spiral and absorbed glass mat design provides 15 times greater vibration resistance than standard systems. Duracell AGM batteries work on the same AGM technology basis and provide similar benefits in terms of improved performance. The Duracell flat plate AGM battery's power-optimized flat plates, DuraMAT™ components, and durability-enhanced design improve cycle capabilities and provide 20x the vibration resistance of standard designs.

  • Duracell AGM batteries use DuraMAT™ components, a puncture-resistant separator material. This material has a high tensile strength, which increases endurance and allows for 20 times the vibration resistance of a standard flooded battery. DuraMAT's enhanced absorption rate totally suspends the free-flowing electrolyte, resulting in fast-acting power and a spill-proof construction.

  • A Duracell AGM battery is a valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery. This has many advantages over flooded lead battery products.

    A VRLA battery is a "recombinant" battery. This means that the oxygen normally produced on the positive plates of all lead batteries is absorbed by the negative plate rather than escaping the cell like traditional flooded batteries. This suppresses the production of hydrogen gas normally produced at the negative plate. Water (H2O) is produced instead, retaining the moisture within the battery and virtually eliminating gassing when charged properly. This allows many installation options and is safer to use around sensitive electronic equipment.

Safety Tips for When You’re Stuck on the Road

    • Pull over safely — move to the shoulder or as far from traffic as possible.

    • Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.

    • Stay inside your vehicle if it’s unsafe to exit (e.g., on a highway).

    • Call for roadside assistance or emergency services immediately.

  • Only if you’re in a safe area, away from moving traffic.
    If you’re on a busy road or highway, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.

    • Slow down and keep extra distance from other vehicles.

    • Turn on your headlights for visibility.

    • Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns.

    • If visibility is poor, pull over safely and wait until conditions improve.

    • Keep your interior light on to stay visible.

    • Lock your doors and do not accept help from strangers — wait for verified roadside or emergency personnel.

    • If you must leave your vehicle, stay on the passenger side away from traffic.

    • Turn on hazard lights and parking lights (especially at night).

    • Use warning triangles or flares if you have them.

    • If safe, raise your hood — it signals that your car is disabled.

    • Roadside assistance provider.

    • Tow service if your vehicle needs to be moved.

    • Local police or highway patrol if you’re in a dangerous area or blocking traffic.

    • Try sending a text instead of calling — texts often go through with weak signals.

    • If possible, move to higher ground or a nearby location for better reception.

    • Keep a portable power bank in your glove box for emergencies.

  • Call for emergency fuel delivery from your roadside assistance provider or local towing service.
    Avoid walking along the road unless you are in a safe, low-traffic area.

  • Response times vary depending on your location, but most roadside services arrive within 20–45 minutes.
    Always confirm your location as accurately as possible to speed things up.

  • If it’s something simple (like a flat tire, dead battery, or loose cable) and you’re confident it’s safe, you may try.
    Otherwise, it’s best to wait for a qualified technician to avoid injury or further damage.

    • Your exact location (mile marker, GPS pin, or nearby landmark)

    • Vehicle make, model, and color

    • Nature of the problem (flat tire, won’t start, out of gas, etc.)

    • Your contact number for updates

  • Follow the technician’s safety instructions, and stay clear while they work.
    Take photos and notes for insurance if needed, and arrange a vehicle checkup afterward.

    • Replace an old or weak battery before it fails.

    • Keep your fuel tank at least half full.

    • Fix dashboard warning lights promptly.

    • Service your vehicle as recommended by the manufacturer.

Safety & Preparedness Tips

  • Before driving, check your fuel level, tires, lights, and fluids. Make sure your spare tire and tools are in good shape, and keep a charged phone and your roadside assistance contact info handy.

  • Always carry an emergency kit with:

    • First-aid kit

    • Jumper cables

    • Flashlight and extra batteries

    • Reflective vest or warning triangles

    • Water and snacks

    • Phone charger or power bank

    • Blanket or rain poncho

    • Keep your car maintained regularly.

    • Always check tire pressure and oil before long trips.

    • Plan your route and check the weather forecast.

    • Know the contact number for your roadside assistance service.

    • Don’t stand near traffic lanes or behind your vehicle.

    • Don’t accept help from unverified strangers.

    • Don’t try complex repairs you aren’t trained for.

    • Don’t leave your vehicle unlocked or running while unattended.

have more questions in mind?

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