There are a variety of reasons why your car might not start. Some reasons can be quite complex, but the most common causes are simple and easy to address yourself. By gaining a better understanding of what makes your car go and reading through the check list of common problems, you can rule out those likely causes. This will allow you to avoid spending money unnecessarily on an auto mechanic and get your car running again quickly.
Check that the car is in park. It seems obvious, but it's a common mistake for people to overlook. There's a hidden switch that is moved when the gear shift is in park in order for the starter motor to do its job and start the engine. If the car is in a different gear, like drive, the switch won't do its job.
Check your gas level. Your car needs gasoline in order to run. If you attempt to turn your car on and you fail to hear the fuel pump turn on to build up the fuel pressure, then you might need to get to the closest gas station, pick up a canister of gas and pour it into your tank. If there is gas in the tank, then you could have a fuel pump failure. This is easily detectable with a fuel pressure gauge.
Check your engine oil level. Your car oil acts as a lubricant for different parts of the car engine. If the oil levels get too low, parts of the engine have friction and wear each other out. Making sure your car is on a level area, pull out the car's dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. Then, insert the dipstick into the oil tank and pull it out to check the oil line. If the oil level appears to be below the full mark, add some more oil.
Check your battery. The starter motor needs enough speed to start the engine. This requires a charged battery. If you turn the ignition key and just hear a clicking noise, the battery is likely the problem. An easy way to check the battery is to check the dashboard lights. If they appear faint or dim, this points to an unhealthy battery. Ask someone to help you with a battery jump start.
