Everything You Need to Know About Car Batteries

Knowledge is power when it comes to your car’s battery and electrical system. In fact,it’s your ride’s heart and soul. The last thing you want is to be left stranded with a dead battery. The more you know about your battery and electrical system,the less likely you’ll get stuck. At Firestone Complete Auto Care,we’re here to help you understand just what’s going on with your vehicle’s battery and electrical system.
On average,a battery will last 3 to 5 years,but driving habits and exposure to extreme elements can shorten the life of your car battery. At Firestone Complete Auto Care,we offer a free battery check-up with every visit to our store. This is a quick diagnostic check to estimate the temperature at which your battery may fail. It also gives you some idea how much battery life you have left. One little test tells you if your battery is good to go.
Are there any warning signs that may indicate my battery is on the fritz?
“If I only knew sooner.”We’ve all been there before. Fortunately,there are various indications and symptoms that your battery may need replacement:
1. Slow engine crank: When you attempt to start the vehicle,the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start. You’d best describe it as the”rurrurrur”starting noise sound.
2. Check engine light: The check engine light sometimes appears when your battery power is weak. Strange system indicator lights-such as check engine and low coolant lights-could mean there’s a problem with your battery. (It could also just mean you need more coolant).
3. Low battery fluid level: Car batteries typically have a part of the casing that’s translucent so you can always keep an eye on your battery’s fluid level. You can also inspect it by removing the red and black caps if they are not sealed (most modern car batteries now permanently seal these parts).
* Bottom line: If the fluid level is below the lead plates (energy conductor) inside,it’s time to have the battery and charging system tested. When fluid levels drop,it’s typically caused by overcharging (heat).
4. The swelling,bloating battery case: If your battery casing looks like it ate a very large meal,this could indicate a battery gone bad. You can blame excessive heat for causing your battery case to swell,decreasing your battery life.
5. Eww,there’s a stinky,rotten egg smell: You may notice a pungent,rotten egg smell (sulfur odor) around the battery. The cause: Battery leaks. Leaking also causes the corrosion around the posts (where the + and – cable connections are located creader viii.) The gunk may need to be removed or your car may not start.
How do I determine if my battery is too old?
For one thing,you can check the four- or five-digit date code on the cover of your battery case. The first part of the code is key: look for the letter and digit launch creader crp123. A letter is assigned to each month – you know,like A for January,B for February and so on. The number that follows nods to the year,as in 9 for 2009 and 1 for 2011. This code tells you when the battery was shipped from the factory to our local Interstate Battery wholesale distributor. The additional digits tell where the battery was made. Car batteries last,on average,three- to-five years. Mind you,there are also weak battery signs to watch for,like a slow engine crank of low fluid level. If your battery case is swollen or bloated,there’s a smelly rotten egg scent coming from the battery or your check engine light appears,trouble may be beyond the bend. And if it’s over three years old? Consider it time for close monitoring. That’s what we’re here for.
The jolt your ride needs to ride on.
Powering your ride is a complex affair. But here’s a straightforward fact: you need a functioning battery to make it go. After all,without battery power,your car won’t start. Your car battery provides the zap of electricity needed to put electrical components to work. It also converts chemical energy into the electrical energy that powers your car and delivers voltage to its starter. And it stabilizes the voltage (. energy supply) that keeps your engine running. Important,indeed.