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Battery Service

How to avoid a flat battery and what to do if it happens to you

06 March 2026

Jo Percival

By Jo Percival
Jo Percival is the Digital Editor of AA Directions magazine.

If you find yourself stuck in your driveway, stranded in a carpark or stalled on the side of the road because your car’s battery has gone flat, what should you do? While your battery doesn’t care about your plans, we do. Here’s some expert advice from the AA to help keep you moving.

Phone the AA

Q: Help! My car won’t start because it has a flat battery. What should I do?

A: Call the AA!

The call centre staff will triage the call and ask you a few questions to determine what the problem is.

If the team establish that it’s a battery problem, they’ll dispatch someone to help you – either an AA Battery Service van, an AA Roadservice vehicle or a contractor, depending on where you live.

Battery callout

Q: How much does it cost for a battery-related callout?

A: If you’re an AA Member the call out is free!

If you are not an AA Member yet you can quickly and easily join when the AA Roadservice officer comes to help you. Joining on the roadside costs $209.

However, if you become an AA Member before you break down it will only cost you $99 in the Auckland region and $89 in the rest of the country, so joining the AA before you need help is a smart choice.

AA Members can also get a free callout of the AA Battery Service van in the main centres where the vans operate; it costs $100 for non-Members.

Buying a battery

Q: Can I get a new battery for my car as part of the callout?

A: You absolutely can!

If you are not an AA Member and you purchase a new battery the callout will be free. Plus, you’ll get a $10 discount on the new battery when we take away your old battery for recycling.

If you’re an AA Member, you can get an additional $25 off the price of the new AA battery giving you a total discount of $35.

Premium Battery
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Q: What sort of battery should I choose?

A: The best battery for your vehicle depends on its make, model, year and even power consuming accessories like speakers. It pays not to cut corners when it comes to batteries. While there’s a range of batteries that might be suitable, you need one that supplies enough power for all the electrical systems of your car.

The AA can provide advice on which battery is right for your needs.

Smart Charge Battery Charger

Q: What can I do to maintain my battery and avoid a callout in the first place?

A: You may not realise that batteries need to be topped up regularly. If you’re not driving your car regularly or only taking short trips, it might not be enough to completely recharge your battery.

However, the good news is that with a compact at-home charger, you can top up your car’s battery yourself and reduce the risk of getting stuck without enough juice.

If you have a vintage or classic car, or maybe a motorhome that only gets driven occasionally, at-home battery charging with an AA Smart Charge Battery Charger is a great option.

EV Charging Van

Q: I have an EV. What do I need to know about my car’s battery?

A: In addition to the main battery, electric vehicles also have a secondary 12V battery. While the high voltage battery is what powers your car, the 12V battery is the same type as in petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles and is used to start the EV and run the electrical systems including windows and lights.

If you can’t start your EV, your 12V battery might have gone flat, and AA Battery Service can help you.

Plus, if you’re an AA Member and your EV has run out of charge because the high voltage battery is flat, the AA also offers towing services and, in the main centres, a mobile EV charger that will recharge your vehicle enough to get you home.

Find out more