Importance of Testing Your Car Battery

May 30, 2023By Paul
car battery replacement service near atlanta

“Keep your car running smoothly and reliably with Valvoline Express Care’s expert battery replacement services.”

Testing and if necessary replacing your car battery is important to ensure that your vehicle starts reliably and functions properly. Over time, car batteries can lose their charge and become less effective at powering your car’s electrical systems. Regularly replacing your car battery can help prevent unexpected breakdowns and save you money in the long run.

Additionally, a new car battery can improve your car’s fuel efficiency and reduce its emissions. At Valvoline Express Care, we recommend having your car battery checked regularly and replaced every three to five years, depending on your driving habits and climate.

Replacing Your Car Batteries

Replacing your car battery is important for several reasons:

  1. The Car batteries have a limited lifespan and will eventually fail. Dead batteries can leave you stranded and unable to start your car.
  2. A weak battery can cause damage to your car’s electrical system and components and can result in costly repairs and replacements.
  3. A properly functioning battery is essential for powering the many electrical systems in your car, including the headlights, radio, and air conditioning.

Without a working battery, these systems may not function correctly or at all. Regularly replacing your car battery can help prevent these issues.

Almost all car batteries have a lifespan of about three to five years, but this can change depending on factors such as usage, weather, and maintenance. It’s important to check your battery’s health regularly and replace it when necessary.
When replacing your car battery, be sure to choose a high-quality battery that is compatible with your car’s make and model. Look for a battery with a good warranty and a reputation for reliability.

In addition to replacing your car battery when required, there are several things you can do to extend its lifespan. These include:

  1. Keeping your battery clean and free of corrosion
  2. Avoiding deep discharges by turning off electrical systems when the engine is off
  3. Turning off headlights and other electrical systems when not in use
  4. Driving your car regularly to keep the battery charged
  5. Having your battery and charging system checked regularly by a professional

In conclusion, replacing your car batteries are essential for ensuring your car functions properly and avoiding costly repairs. Regular maintenance and care can help extend the lifespan of your battery, but it will eventually need to be replaced. When it’s time to replace your car battery, choose a high-quality battery that is compatible with your car’s make and model.

Warning Signs to Replace Your Car Batteries

Some signs that your car battery may need to be replaced include difficulty starting the engine, dimming headlights, a clicking sound when you turn the key, and a battery warning light on your dashboard. It’s essential to have your battery tested and to replace it if it’s more than three years old regularly.

As a car owner, it’s important to know when it’s time to replace your car battery. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

Having trouble starting the car. You can hear a clicking sound as you turn the key to start the engine because the electrical current intended to go to the starter solenoid is weakening. Moreover, the engine may start starting considerably more slowly than usual.

Fading headlights. Your headlights being dimmer than usual indicates that your battery can no longer supply enough current to them. Radios, interior lighting, and air conditioners are examples of additional electrical components that could start to malfunction.

Check the Engine Light. While there may be several causes for the check car engine light to come on, a weak battery is one of them. Other system lights, such as the low coolant indicators, may also mysteriously turn on; however, this could simply indicate that you need more coolant.

Inefficient Battery Case. Your battery has almost certainly been destroyed if it looks swollen, like a partially filled balloon. Your battery may even shatter as a result of exposure to extreme heat or cold. The ideal shape for an automobile battery is a perfect rectangle.

Yucky Scent. When your battery begins to smell like rotten eggs, anytime you open the hood, there may be a leak in the battery fluid, which would indicate obvious damage. As the battery fluid corrodes the negative and positive terminals due to the leak, a white, ashy muck may develop on top of them, resulting in voltage problems.

Low Level of Battery Fluid. Similar to the translucent window running the length of a pen, the majority of automobile batteries feature a translucent portion on their covers.

You may view the fluid level in this section. If your battery’s red and black caps are not sealed, you can also remove them to check the fluid level, albeit it’s unlikely. It’s time to swap out the battery if the fluid level falls below the lead plates that conduct electricity.

Backfiring. As the battery begins to fail, sparks might start to occur. These sparks can make fuel collect in the cylinders, and when this fuel is ignited, it does this suddenly and with a lot of force.

This is what makes the car backfire. This backfiring might end up harming your car in the long term too. Although backfiring can be a symptom of many other issues, it also warrants a battery check.

Age. If your battery has lived a full life, you cannot keep it from dying. An easy way to check the age of your battery is to learn how to interpret the date code written on its label. The date code indicates the manufacturing date of the battery.

If you have noticed any of these warning signs, it’s recommended to have your car battery checked by a professional mechanic. Ignoring a failing battery can cause further damage to your car’s electrical system and leave you stranded on the road. Stay safe and keep an eye on your car battery’s health.

Health Maintenance Car Battery Tips

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind to help maintain the health of your car battery:

  • Make sure your car battery is securely fastened to prevent vibrations that can damage the internal components.
  • Avoid leaving your vehicle parked for extended periods of time without starting it up or using a battery maintainer to keep it charged.
  • Keep your vehicle battery clean and free of corrosion by regularly wiping it down with a damp cloth and applying a protective coating of battery terminal grease.
  • If you live in cold weather, consider investing in a battery heater or insulating blanket to help prevent your battery from losing power in frigid temperatures.

By taking these steps and regularly monitoring your car battery’s health, you can help ensure that your vehicle stays running smoothly and reliably for years to come. Learn more about car battery replacement.

Valvoline Express Care Assistance

Valvoline Express Care provides a full range of the services your cars need to continue running smoothly, safely, and long into the future.

Visit us today at any of our convenient locations in Tucker, Sandy Springs, West Cobb/Marietta, Marietta, Duluth, North Cobb/Kennesaw, Dallas Hiram, Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Acworth (coming soon).

author

ABOUT THE AUTHORPaul

Paul Eidbo is the founder and president of Piedmont Lube Centers LLC, an Atlanta-based company that develops, owns, and operates Valvoline Express Care oil change and auto service facilities.  He opened his first quick lube facility in 2004 and has expanded throughout Metro Atlanta.  Paul graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in history and earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University.  Paul lives in Atlanta with his wife, three sons, and two dogs.