Can you bump start these damned things with a flat battery?

[stevedmc]

I'll chime in on the advice as well. If you don't feel like waiting to charge the battery at home, places like Autozone can speed charge and test the battery for you. I think Walmart even has equipment to charge and test batteries. To date, every place I've brought a battery to has done their stuff for free.

I have 218k miles on my little car and if memory serves me well, I believe I have only had to change my battery once. When batteries start going out, they usually show their first signs of trouble when winter starts. What I do is simple. When I notice my starter taking longer to start a car, I pray it starts, and if it does I save myself a lot of headache and go straight to a place that can test the battery. If the battery fails, then I get a new one on the spot instead of limping by as long as possible on a failing battery.

A weak battery can work pretty dang good during the summer without the driver even realizing it is bad, but once winter kicks in, you find our pretty dang fast whether a battery is good or not.

[nickels]

Yeah it was dead flat. And I tried 2nd and 3rd. Just nothin.

Good to know.

Also why leave the mower battery in while yours charges? Get the car running and swap batteries, go for a decent drive. Problem solved.

[nickels]

And yes, I did get impark security over to jump it. Luckily they were close by. Rather expansive parking lot, could take 20 min to get from end to end.

[stevedmc]

And yes, I did get impark security over to jump it. Luckily they were close by. Rather expansive parking lot, could take 20 min to get from end to end.

I'm not knocking you or anything but why did the battery die? Was it something simple like accidentally leaving a light on or something else such as a bad battery or alternator? We've all made mistakes before. I know I've been guilty of leaving lights on in vehicles.

Just curious. If you didn't accidentally drain the battery yourself, I would definitely head to a place like Autozone to have that battery and alternator tested.

[nickels]

I'm not knocking you or anything but why did the battery die? Was it something simple like accidentally leaving a light on or something else such as a bad battery or alternator? We've all made mistakes before. I know I've been guilty of leaving lights on in vehicles.

Just curious. If you didn't accidentally drain the battery yourself, I would definitely head to a place like Autozone to have that battery and alternator tested.

Got back home a few weeks ago and found the car flat with the door ajar in the parking lot.

First Post.

[Mark]

I'm not knocking you or anything but why did the battery die? Was it something simple like accidentally leaving a light on or something else such as a bad battery or alternator? We've all made mistakes before. I know I've been guilty of leaving lights on in vehicles.

Even if you leave your headlights on, the Mirage will automatically shut them off (approximately 3 minutes) for you. I like this feature. It has saved me a few times already (especially on foggy mornings).

[nickels]

Mine turn off immediately once I turn it off. I havent turned the switch off since I bought the car.

[stevedmc]

Even if you leave your headlights on, the Mirage will automatically shut them off (approximately 3 minutes) for you. I like this feature. It has saved me a few times already (especially on foggy mornings).

This is one of the modern features I like on this car, although there are still other things you can accidentally do to drain the battery. I've left the dome light on in my car several times. Fortunately I drive the car daily with the exception of when I am on vacation, so that hasn't drained the battery, but if I were to do that and go on vacation, it would more than likely kill the battery.

My apologies for missing the door ajar comment in the first post. Like I said, we've all made mistakes and I'm just as guilty of doing stupid stuff on cars. Glad to hear you were able to get it jump started.

Push starting a car is a nice way to avoid having to ask for help and its good to hear you made the effort. Unfortunately, all of us eventually have to ask a stranger for some help. I'm with you though. I always try to push start a vehicle if possible before asking for a jump.

[Fummins]

You'd think Mitsubishi would do everyone a favor and turn off the dome light after 5-10mins? I've had this feature in a handfull of dodges going back to 02'. I think my crusty 99 Ford even did the same thing. Saved me a from having dead batteries more than once.

[inuvik]

Got back home a few weeks ago and found the car flat with the door ajar in the parking lot.

Pushed it out of the spot and up a small hill, then pushed it down and tried to bump start it. With, NO results.

Just curious what may have happened? I figured it would be easier to get it firing than any larger vehicle. My best guess is that the alternator doesnt do anything in this car at a few hundred rpm?

I think someone has changed your settings at some point because the default is that it's supposed to auto shut off after 30 minutes