Even if you’re driving a quality Buick, Pontiac, or GMC vehicle, the fact is that, at some time or another, your vehicle isn’t going to start. When that happens, unless you happen to be parked at your local garage or Buick, Pontiac, or GMC dealer, chances are you’re going to need to do some troubleshooting.

Here are some things to do when your car just won’t start:

Test your battery to see if it’s dead. If you have a battery tester, you can use that to see if your battery is weak. If you don’t have a tester, you can still figure it out by trying to jump-start the car. If the car starts, it may just be that you left your headlights on, for example. Still, you should consider replacing your battery soon, as running down your batter can weaken it over the long term.

Check your battery for corrosion. Your battery’s connectors, over time, can become corroded and dirty. This dirt and corrosion causes an interruption in the circuit from your battery to your starter. If the posts to your battery are corroded or dirty, clean them. That may be enough to allow your car to start.

It’s a long shot, but it doesn’t hurt to also check your fuses. Most of the time, the car’s starter doesn’t rely on a fuse. However, you should still check it out, and replace any dead fuses with the appropriate type.

These basic things may not help you to get your car stared. Typically, if these things won’t help you get your car started, it means you have a much more serious problem. For example, your starter may have gone bad, or your ignition switch may be on the fritz.

Your Buick, Pontiac, and GMC dealer can help you get your car started, or help you find a brand new vehicle to replace your old one.