Battery Testing and Replacement: What You Need to Know
It’s clear your car battery is an essential part of your vehicle, providing the power for everything from starting the car to turning on the radio. However, it can get confusing knowing when to service or replace your battery and the parts around it. Here is some information to help get you started so you don’t get stranded on your next trip through New Hampshire.
Automotive Battery Service near Plaistow
Most new batteries last around 3 to 4 years depending on your vehicle usage. But like other critical parts of your vehicle, your battery needs to be routinely inspected to ensure it is in good condition, regardless of performance. In fact, there are a variety of car battery problems that aren’t immediately noticeable, but will lead to premature failure if they aren’t identified, including corrosion and a low charge.
This is why most experts recommend having your battery checked about twice a year, especially toward the beginning of winter. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to schedule regular maintenance for your vehicle at Skip’s Garage.
Just give us a call or contact us online to set up your appointment. We can even schedule a recurring appointment in advance so you can be reminded when it is time to check on your vehicle. One of our service specialists will inspect the battery and run a few diagnostic tests to check its health. Afterwards, they’ll give it a proper cleaning and apply anti-corrosion pads and protectant to keep it running as long as possible.
Can a Bad Battery Impact Other Parts?
Yes, when your battery is weakened or damaged due to wear and tear it starts to put stress on related equipment like the alternator, charging system, starter motor, and starter solenoid.
When these parts draw higher voltage to compensate for lack of battery power, they wear down faster. That’s why an essential part of our battery checks includes ensuring all the necessary parts are drawing the correct voltage for your vehicle.
You also have to ensure the alternator is giving your battery enough electricity. Strange flickering lights, disappearing warning lights, and an engine that is slow to crank all indicate a faulty alternator. All of these malfunctions usually start occurring when the car battery is nearly drained and struggling to provide power, which means you could be a moment away from it giving out.
The starter is another important culprit when it comes to electrical issues. There are several signs that give you a good indication that the starter is your issue. First, it is often easy to hear the starter struggle or die when trying to turn over the engine. Next, you can also tell you have a starter issue when your engine won’t crank but you still have dashboard lights powering up. Finally, an oil soaked starter or smoke rising from the engine are strong signs your starter is kaput but we hope you are able to identify the issue before either of these problems arise. If you do notice an issue like this, call an auto repair shop immediately.
What Causes a Car Battery to Die?
The chemistry used to make car batteries gives us a fairly reliable estimate for how long they will last. Most of these batteries won’t last longer than five years, so if your battery dies after that it’s likely due to normal wear and tear.
However, if you find that your battery dies sooner, it may require you to look deeper into your vehicle. Potential battery issues may arise from driving an older vehicle, driving with a bad alternator, faulty charging, or loose cables.
The issue may also be due to certain driving behaviors and maintenance habits. Does your lifestyle require you to take frequent short trips? Are you skipping recommended service appointments and maintenance? Do you live in an area with extreme climate conditions? Are you not allowing your battery enough time to recharge after starting? All of these factors can have a lasting impact on your battery’s health and many are simple to change with a few tweaks to your routine or the storage of your vehicle.
Other issues may rise from any of these factors:
- Very hot or cold weather
- Low battery fluid
- Idling for long periods of time
- Leaving power adapters plugged in
- Letting your car sit for weeks at a time
It’s quite a bit to keep track of, but it all makes sense once you learn a bit about batteries and get on a regular schedule with your local auto body shop.
When Should I Test or Replace My Car Battery?
There are several signs that let you know it’s time to replace your car battery near Concord, NH. The first, and most obvious, is if your car battery has died and won’t start up again. However, your vehicle will likely show some symptoms of battery failure before this point, so be sure to watch out for these red flags:
- The engine struggles to turn over
- The battery is leaking fluid or you see corrosion around the terminals
- The battery begins to smell like sulfur (rotten eggs)
- The battery exhibits signs of damage, such as a bloated or misshapen outer case
- Electronics will flicker or struggle to work
- The horn and/or stereo sound weak
- Your car displays a “Low Battery” or similar message
If at any point you experience the above, it’s time to call Skip’s Garage to help with your automotive needs. We’ll help you select and install the right parts for your vehicle, getting you back on the road quickly with confidence and peace of mind.
Buying a Car Battery
It’s easier than ever to buy the right battery for your car. Using our parts system, we can look up batteries that are compatible with your vehicle so you understand what options you have available. If you delve deeper into the buying process, you’ll want to talk to one of our service reps so you can become well acquainted with battery sizes, battery types, cranking amps, cold cranking amps, and battery terminal layouts. Understanding these basic battery components will give you the knowledge you need to select the equipment you want.
Installing a new battery in most cars is a breeze if you know how, but that doesn’t mean we won’t help you out by taking care of the work for you. Feel free to call our service team or pay us a visit in Plaistow for all of your automotive needs.