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How do I replace a dead cell in a car battery?

My car has been acting funny. It seems like the battery is on its way out, but someone told me that it could just be a dead cell and may be fixable. If a cell dies in my car battery, how do I replace it?

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Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“While you can revive a dead battery for a bit, you can’t really replace a dead cell.
If your battery dies, you can usually restart it for short-term use with one of these techniques:
  • The first thing you should try is
    jumpstarting your battery
    . To do this, you’ll need jumper cables and either a healthy battery or a battery booster. Be careful, though—irresponsibly jumpstarting your car could lead to further damage or even injury.
  • If your battery has a low electrolyte level—i.e., if the liquid in the battery cells is below the battery plates—you may be able to revive it by adding enough distilled water to fully submerge the plates. This won’t always work, but it might be enough to get your car to a mechanic.
If you’re worried about your car breaking down, you should look into roadside assistance with ​
Jerry
. Jerry’s roadside assistance membership protects you with their nationwide network of 55,000+ service providers for only $6.99 a month.”
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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