Car Battery Replacement
Car batteries are extremely important since your car will not start without them. The car battery works just like any other battery you have used. It provides an electrical current to your car. The battery itself is rechargeable. When you have a healthy battery and drive your car often, the battery will charge while the vehicle runs.
In Utah, especially during harsh winters, a reliable car battery is essential to ensure your vehicle starts without trouble. Your battery provides power to the starter and electricity to your car’s outlets, so leaving devices plugged in when the vehicle is off can quickly drain it. While a drained battery now and then isn’t unusual, a battery that no longer holds a charge can leave you stranded—particularly inconvenient in winter’s freezing temperatures. If you’re facing ongoing battery issues, it may be time to bring your vehicle into Ethan’s Honest Auto for a battery replacement to keep you powered up all season.
When does my battery need to be replaced?
Car batteries are rechargeable but that doesn’t mean they never need to be replaced. It is common to need a battery replacement, and sometimes multiple battery replacements, over the lifespan of the vehicle.
There are a few reasons you may need to have your battery replaced. The first, and most common is age. Most batteries work well until they are about three years old. The battery may last longer, but the likelihood of it failing goes up exponentially. You will want to check a battery that’s older than three regularly for signs it needs to be replaced.
Another reason your battery may fail is that it has sat too long with no charge. Just like all batteries, the longer a lead-acid car battery sits with no charge, the more you are reducing its lifespan.
No matter the age or the reason, a car battery must be replaced when it can no longer be charged. The amount of charge a battery will hold will slowly decrease. By paying attention, you will know when it is time to have Ethan’s Honest Auto change your car’s battery.
Signs my battery needs to be replaced.
So, your battery is getting a little older. You know the time is coming when you will have to have it changed. But, how do you know when to change your car battery? The following signs all signal that it is time to have the specialists at Ethan’s Honest Automotive change your vehicle battery.
- Dim lights: If the lights and electronics in your vehicle—such as the dashboard—are not as bright as they once were, your battery is likely dying.
- The engine doesn’t start well: Batteries are in charge of powering the starter. That is why when your car doesn’t start at all it is likely a discharged battery. If the engine starts slowly or sputters, you may have a failing battery that needs to be replaced.
- Check engine light: The check engine light may come on for many reasons. One of those reasons is a faulty battery.
- Low battery fluid: The translucent part of your battery will show you the battery fluid. If it is low, your battery will not hold or conduct an electrical charge well.
- Leaks: This one probably goes without saying, but if you have a battery leak, you need to get that battery replaced. Battery leaks create corrosion, which can cause a lot more problems with your vehicle.
Why is staying on top of your battery a good idea?
If you have any questions about whether you need to have your battery replaced, contact Ethan’s Honest Auto. It is important to keep an eye on the health of your battery. First of all, a bad battery means you will not be driving your car. Keeping a battery that holds a charge will ensure you don’t get stranded anywhere.
Another reason why you need to keep a good battery in your car is that it helps your vehicle run better. All of the electrics will be given a stable charge. That is important this occurs for the peak performance of your vehicle. For more information on batteries, read our car battery guide.
Contact Ethan’s Honest Auto today in Cache Valley with any questions or concerns about your battery. We will be happy to take a look and let you know whether a new battery is needed or not. Our customer service professionals are standing by to take your call today!
FAQs About Car Batteries
Car batteries are quite heavy and should be changed by a professional. It will not take long for your mechanic to change your battery. They just need to disconnect the positive and negative cables and take the old battery out of its bracket. Then they put the new battery in the bracket and reconnect the cables.
As you can see, changing batteries is fairly easy if you know what you are doing. However, because car batteries can be quite dangerous if dropped or if the electrical cables are connected wrong, we still recommend that you allow a professional to change the battery for you.
Car batteries are made from toxic materials. They usually include lead and acid. You do not want either lead or acid to leach into the environment. They can do a lot of damage, especially if they get into the water supply.
Do not just throw away your old car battery. Instead, you should always recycle it properly. The most fool-proof way is to leave your old battery with your mechanic when you have it changed. The mechanic, or retail outlet, will recycle the battery properly for you.
If you suspect that your battery is going bad, you can test it yourself. We are also happy to test your battery for you here at Ethan’s Honest Automotive.
Some people like to test their batteries themselves before bringing the vehicle to us. If this sounds like you, there are a couple of battery tests you can do. The easiest is to purchase a digital multimeter. Once you have the multimeter, use it to check the voltage of your battery. If the voltage is 12.5 or more, the battery is fully charged. saying lower than 11.8 volts means your battery is almost completely discharged.
Without a multimeter, you can perform a headlight test to check your battery. However, this is a much less accurate way to gauge your battery’s charge. If you test your battery this way, make sure to bring your vehicle to Ethan’s to have us confirm your results.
Thankfully, there are distinct signs that your battery is failing. If you experience any of the following, you likely need a new battery.
- Your battery dies often, which requires a lot of jump-starts.
- Your battery does not hold a charge well.
- Your internal and external lights are dim.
- You struggle to start your vehicle or keep it running.
- The power fluctuates often, even as you drive.
Car batteries become less efficient and hold their charge for less time as they get older. This means that you will need to change your car battery regularly. Sometimes, the battery needs to be changed after only three years. Replacing your car battery every four to five years is much more common, however.
If you drain the battery often, by leaving your vehicle’s lights on, your battery may wear out sooner. Extreme weather conditions or rough driving can also cause battery problems.
Services provided by Ethan’s include:
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Oil Changes
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A/C Service
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Brakes
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Tire Rotation
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Windshield Wipers/Washer Fluid
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Wheel Bearings
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Differential Services
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Coolant Flushes
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Struts
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Transmission Services
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Tune Ups
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Shocks
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Brake and power steering services
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Timing Belts
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Tie Rods
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Rack and pinion
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U-Joints
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Ball Joints
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4-Wheel Drive
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