Written by the Pro-Tow Team
Serving Spokane, Washington and the Pacific Northwest

When your car won’t start, especially on a freezing Spokane morning, you need help fast. Is it just a dead battery that needs a simple jump? Or is something more serious going on that requires a tow to a repair shop?

Pro-Tow by FleetEasy in Spokane handles roadside assistance calls every single day, and one of the most common issues is a vehicle that won’t start. With decades of experience, certified tow truck operators, and fully equipped service trucks, we help drivers figure it out and get the car started.

Cold weather hits vehicle batteries hard. Spokane’s winters often cause sluggish battery performance, thickened engine oil requiring more power to crank and power drains from accessories like seat heaters, defrosters and lights.
It can cause older batteries to drain and die. But a no-start doesn’t always mean a dead battery. If you have issues with your alternator, starter or other parts, a jump start isn’t going to help.

If you’re seeing the following symptoms, a quick jump from Pro-Tow Spokane’s roadside assistance team may be all you need:

1. You Hear Clicking When Turning the Key

A rapid clicking sound usually means the starter solenoid is trying to engage but isn’t getting enough voltage. You likely need a jumpstart.

2. Your Dashboard Lights Are Dim

Low electrical power often points to a weak battery with some life left. The more you try to start it at this point, the quicker it will drain. Call for a battery jumpstart in Spokane!

3. The Battery Is Newer

If your battery is less than three years old, it’s more likely a temporary drain than a complete failure. Unless there is a rare defect, newer batteries usually last several years.

4. Electrical Accessories Won’t Power On

Locks, radio, or lights acting sluggish? This is a classic battery problem. A professional jump start will usually get you going in minutes.

Sometimes the battery isn’t the root cause. In these cases, jumping the vehicle can be unsafe or completely ineffective. Here’s how to tell if it isn’t a battery issue and you need a tow and repairs.

1. No Clicking, No Lights, No Electrical Activity

If the vehicle is completely dead, the issue might be a blown fuse, a bad starter, a failed alternator or some form of parasitic electrical drain. Sometimes, it means you have too much corrosion around your battery terminals.

A jump won’t fix these issues, and repeatedly trying may damage components. Instead, call Pro-Tow for a Spokane tow truck.

2. The Car Starts, Then Immediately Dies

This usually signals a failing alternator that can’t keep the system powered. If it were just the battery, it wouldn’t even turn over.

3. Strong Electrical Burning Smell

Burning smells are NEVER good when it comes to vehicles. Stop trying to start the car immediately, as this could indicate wiring or component failure. Call Pro-Tow, and we can come inspect it and help you out!

4. You Already Tried Jumping It

If multiple attempts fail, or your battery will not hold a charge, it’s time for a safe tow to a service shop in Spokane.

Pro-Tow Spokane provides fast, secure light-duty towing in Spokane, ensuring your vehicle gets where it needs to go without further damage.

The process of jumping a battery is something most people can do DIY, but newer vehicles are backed with complicated and sensitive electrical and computer components. Unfortunately, if you do it wrong, you can fry sensitive electronics or even cause battery explosions.

Team Pro-Tow brings professional-grade cables, equipment and has a deep knowledge of vehicle types, parts and how to make a safe connection for modern vehicles. We can also provide on-site diagnostics to rule out other problems, like a faulty alternator or starter.

In addition, if the battery jumpstart fails, we can give you a tow in Spokane. You won’t need to call a second company. And we’ll give you our best, honest advice on what to do next. Pro-Tows battery service is fast, safe and reliable.

Whether you need a jump start or a tow, Pro-Tow is ready 24/7 to help you get moving again.

Stranded right now? Call Pro-Tow for immediate roadside assistance or towing in Spokane!