When you are rushing to get to work or school on time, does it seem unlikely that your car will start? Jump starting your car may get you to work, but it is better to have your car battery replacement arranged in advance. This is why it is useful to be able to detect when your battery is about to run out.
As a general rule, you have four years to replace your battery before it becomes a chemical paperweight rather than a chemical powerhouse. Be on the lookout for symptoms after four years and ready to act. action.
Nevertheless, since batteries contain a chemical cocktail, they may give out before you think, or they may last for several more years before they go bad.
Please note that batteries for hybrid and electric cars are different, and our discussion here will focus on batteries for regular gasoline-powered cars.
Symptoms of a Bad Car Battery
It’s so easy and so convenient to use batteries that so many drivers forget until it’s near expiring. You’ll reduce the risk of becoming stranded on the road if you check your car’s battery regularly. Considering how much work batteries do, they are relatively inexpensive.
In most cases, a dead battery is an obvious sign of a problem. However, since the battery is one of the important parts of an automobile, it can also signal a deeper problem. A working battery may not provide as much power as it should if there is something else wrong with the electrical system, such as a weak alternator.
It is recommended that you use the electronic testers in most auto parts stores to test a battery. If you hook the tester up to your car battery, it measures its condition and indicates whether you should replace it.
Several types of battery testers are available, with different prices and features. Some plug into the cigarette lighter of the car to measure the charge, while others clip onto its terminals or battery to provide an electronic readout. Make sure you protect your face and hands from battery acid and corrosion if you’re going to pop the hood and clip a tester to the battery.
Every time you change your oil, you should perform this check as part of regular vehicle maintenance.
Possible Causes for Dead Car Batteries.
Usage Errors
A dead car battery may be caused by user error. One could have used excessive accessory power when driving over a short distance, left the headlight on overnight accidentally, or the charger in the accessory power source was left charging. In this situation, you used a lot of your battery’s power to start your vehicle, but your alternator, which returns power to your battery, had no chance to fully charge your battery.
Battery Life
A dead car battery can also be due to age. Car batteries are often made up of lead-acid, multi-cell batteries. Each cell contains a dilute solution of sulfuric acid and lead. The battery’s sulfation occurs when it ages. When sulfate crystals build up on the negative plates of your car battery, the battery cannot deliver power to your vehicle and you can’t start your vehicle. This could be the source of the problem if the car battery is already used for between two to five years, and one should consider changing it to a new one.
Defective Battery
There is a possibility that a dead battery could be the result of a defective battery. You should bring your car into the shop to have a mechanic run a battery test if you are experiencing dead batteries repeatedly and the battery or vehicle is new.
Issues with Charging
A dead car battery is sometimes not indicative of a problem with the battery itself, but with the charging system. A malfunction in your charging system is likely to cause the battery warning icon to appear while you’re driving. Check your battery cable, serpentine belt, as well as the terminals with a mechanic.
Battery Terminals Affected by Corrosion
The corrosion on your battery terminals could be the cause of a dead car battery. You can connect these posts to the rest of the charging system. Between the battery cables and the terminal posts, corrosion, which looks like white, ashy deposits, can build up and reduce your vehicle’s ability to produce power. If your battery is corroded, you can remove it with a wire brush and baking soda. If the problem persists, it might indicate that your car battery needs to be replaced.
Battery Replacement for Dead Car Battery
The battery can always be replaced at an auto shop, but a dead car battery can also be changed at your own garage or home. Should you intend to do it yourself, you do keep a several points to keep in mind.
You should always refer to your owner’s manual before engaging in any activity. As battery acid can be toxic, always wear gloves and eye protection when working with it. Don’t touch the battery terminals or posts with metal tools. Be careful of fire or sparks near the battery. Make sure to keep it from the hazards. Always disconnect your battery’s negative terminal before the positive terminal.
Here’s What You Need to Know in Car Battery Replacement
1. Ensure your engine is not running
Turn your vehicle off and put it in park; this is the first and most important step.
2. Detach Negative Cable
To remove the negative cable, loosen the nut using special battery pliers or a wrench. If corrosion prevents you from doing this, use a little lubricant (needs to be automobile safe) or water and solution of baking soda.
Remove the negative cable hardware by removing the screws and twisting and pulling it gently. You may also need to use a battery terminal puller tool, which is readily available at an auto parts store.
3. Detach Positive Cable
If you don’t have color-coded cables, you may want to indicate the positive cable with tape or a twist tie. There may be a plastic hood covering the positive terminal, which can be flipped back so that the cable can be removed.
4. Remove Battery Clamp
To remove the battery clamp, unscrew it and move it out of the way. Frequently, the clamp consists of three pieces connected but independent of each other. When you remove the sidearms from the battery tray at the bottom, the entire clamp will come off quickly once they are freed up. If the clamp seems stuck at first, try moving the sidearms upward and downward.
5. Remove Old Battery
Prepare a level, dry area to place the old battery before removing it from the car. Remove the dead battery and prepare the space it leaves for the new battery.
6. Cleaning and Clear the Corrosion
You can use either an automobile-safe lubricant or baking soda to clean the tray, the battery posts, or the battery connector. You may need to use a battery cleaning solution if the tray and hardware are too corroded.
7. New Battery Installation
In the empty space, place the battery and ensure it fits securely. Attach the clamp, this time by moving the side arms into place. Tighten the clamp so the battery does not jostle or move in its new spot.
8. Attach Positive Cable
Fit the new, cleaned positive cable onto the positive battery post before tightening it.
9. Attach Negative Cable
Repeat the same procedure for the negative cable. Be sure that all connections are made properly, and tightened, so there is no movement after the last mount.
10. Check the Connections
Make sure you have good contact between the terminals and the posts. Tighten the cables if you find any of them loose. Loose batteries can cause issues such as low voltage, flicker headlights, and starting the car.
11. Dispose of the Old Battery Safely
Don’t just dump the car batteries as they are acidic and hazardous. Battery recycling services are available at most dealerships, parts shops and automotive shops, parts stores, and many dealerships.
Need A Tow?
Are you looking roadside assistance for your car or motorcycle? Broken down vehicle, flat tire, car lockout, or dead battery? Our 24/7 light-duty towing services are just a phone call away!
Your Local Tow Truck Service in Melbourne Northern Suburbs.
Coburg Towing Melbourne located near Gladstone Park, Victoria 3043. Please check below map.
Recent Comments