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Your battery provides the power needed to start your car and run your electronic devices, so it's obviously a very important part of your vehicle. Taking proper care of your battery by having it regularly serviced can lengthen its life span. No matter how well you look after your battery, it will eventually come time to replace it. Let's take a look at what you can do to maintain your battery and how to spot the warning signs that it's time for a new one.
Battery service is performed by an auto technician and involves cleaning and testing your battery. Our mechanic will clean debris and corrosion from your battery's terminals and remove corrosion from the top of your battery.
If they think the cables and terminals require replacing, our mechanic also does this as part of your service. Replacing the cables can help improve your battery's performance and keep it working for longer.
We'll also perform open-circuit voltage and load tests to make sure your battery is holding its charge and is in good working order.
Various factors, including your driving patterns, type of vehicle, and the climate you live in, can affect your battery's life span. In general, however, car batteries last between three and four years. If you get a battery service every year or so, you'll be able to monitor how your battery is doing and have peace of mind that any problems will be detected.
The climate plays an important part because the electrolyte in your battery has a harder time holding its charge during cold spells and when the weather gets really hot.
There's nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. Luckily, batteries often give warning signs that they need replacing so that you can take action before it gets that bad. For example, if your engine takes longer than usual to start when you turn or press the ignition, this suggests that your battery is reaching the end of its working life. Your lights may also flicker as your engine starts.
You can also go looking for warning signs by checking your battery regularly. If you see a white substance on top of your battery, this is a sign that it has corrosion issues. If you notice that the battery casing is cracked, your battery has likely swollen due to extreme temperature changes and will need to be replaced.
Finally, many vehicles will activate the battery light on the dashboard if they detect a problem with your battery. This doesn't necessarily mean your battery is dying, since the battery light can also point to an issue with your alternator. The alternator is responsible for ensuring that your battery charges while you're driving. The best way to find out what the problem is when your battery light comes on is to take your car in for a service appointment.
In addition to the warning signs we've already talked about, you can tell that you have a weak battery if your headlights get brighter when you rev your engine. This indicates that your battery lacks the charge to power your headlights on its own.
Another indication is if you struggle to get your car started after you haven't driven it in a while. Batteries gradually lose their charge when you don't drive your car. You can guard against this problem by regularly taking your car for a short drive.
A further sign of a weak battery is if you notice a bad smell like rotten eggs in your car. This can be caused by gas leaking from your battery, which can occur when the battery begins to wear out.
This depends on how old your battery is. As long as you can get your car started, you should be able to get some charge into your battery by taking it for a drive between 15 to 30 minutes. Even running the engine for 15 minutes is better than nothing if you're not able to drive. If you know you'll be out of town for a long time, you may want to ask a friend or relative to run your car every so often to make sure the battery stays charged.
If your battery can't start your car, you can try jump-starting it. This may be fine for an exceptional situation, such as if the problem arises while you're on the way to work. But it's unlikely you'll be able to keep running the battery for much longer.
If you're coming in for battery service, the first step is to get your battery and its terminals cleaned. Then, our technician will determine whether the cables and terminals need replacing. Once this is done, they will test your battery to make sure it's working well.
If you require a battery replacement, we'll start by removing your old battery and cleaning the battery holder. This step is important because corrosion can build up in the battery holder and adversely affect your new battery if it isn't cleaned up. Finally, our technician will place your new battery in position and connect it securely so you're ready to go. Planet Ford Dallas can install an OEM Motorcraft battery for your Ford, however, If you don't own a Ford car or truck, we have several other battery manufacturers to choose from so you get the right battery for your vehicle.
So, now you know a bit more about how long you can expect your battery to last and how to tell when it's time for a replacement. Do you still have questions related to your battery? Do you think yours is in need of service? Don't hesitate to contact our team of auto experts at Planet Ford Dallas with all of your battery queries. We're looking forward to helping you service your vehicle and get you back behind the wheel in no time.
