Have you ever started your day with that awful experience of having your car not start? When the only thing you hear is the groaning of the engine? A dead battery is probably one of the most dreaded issues of any car owner.

After jump-starting the car, the first thing you usually do is visit your local car battery replacement service.

Far beyond that initial ignition however, the car battery has a very important job in your car’s electrical systems. You can minimize that dreadful dead battery experience by learning the facts about your car battery.

How Long Should My Car Battery Last?

Unfortunately, there’s no definite answer to this question. A typical car battery should last approximately 6 years, but this will naturally depend on how well you treat it. If you forget to turn off the headlights or leave all your mobile devices plugged in to the car chargers when the engine is off, you’re on a fast track to a dead battery.

Your battery can definitely handle all those electronics when the engine is on, but as soon as you turn it off and leave all the gadgets plugged in – they draw electricity directly from your car battery.  

Taking care of your battery will help maintain it for its intended lifespan, but eventually it will die and need to be replaced by your local car battery replacement service.

Is the Problem really with my Battery?

Don’t always blame the battery when your car won’t start. There are other components in your vehicle that can cause that same annoying symptom. A faulty starter will usually make a clicking noise that sounds almost the same as the sound of a dead battery. The problem can also be your car’s alternator, which charges the battery when the engine is on. If the alternator is defective, then the car battery won’t recharge when the engine is running, leading to a similar no-start situation. Other problems might be with your car’s fuel injectors that can get clogged, or the spark plugs that get worn out. Don’t rush to blame the battery. A reliable auto tune up service will definitely be able to locate the real issue.

Can the weather affect my Car Battery?

If you have a typical car battery, which uses a liquid electrolyte solution to hold the charge, then extreme weather can definitely affect its performance and lifespan. Cold weather makes it harder for the liquid solution to transfer full power. That’s why you have a hard time starting your car in the winter.

On the other end of the weather spectrum, very hot weather can also affect your battery. It can cause the battery’s liquid solution to evaporate, and reduce its ability to hold the charge. If there are signs that a liquid refill is required you should visit your local car battery replacement service.
A small Tip: Keep your car in a garage when possible, to help the battery avoid these extreme temperatures. It will help your battery live longer.  

Can I Recharge a weak Battery by Driving my Car for Long Distances?

In general, cars need to be driven regularly to allow the battery to recharge itself properly, otherwise it will discharge and run flat. Driving your car (no matter for how long) – will not fully charge your already weak battery. When your battery is weak, driving a lot might even lower its capacity and reduce its lifespan.

You could try to charge it with a suitable battery charger, but this can be dangerous. We recommend letting your auto tune up service do this for you.

Can my Car’s Faulty Battery affect the Fuel Economy?

Yes indeed! If your battery is faulty it can affect your car’s fuel economy. Why? Because the alternator will need to draw more power to charge the battery adequately, and this in turn puts more pressure on the battery and consumes more fuel.

Should I disconnect the Battery when I go on Vacation?

That will depend on car’s model, age and the length of your vacation. In newer cars, if it’s a short vacation (less than two weeks), you shouldn’t disconnect the battery. In today’s new computerized cars, disconnecting the battery may lead to losing some of your car’s computer settings.

If your vacation is longer than two weeks, first make sure the battery is fully charged, and if it has removable caps, check that the level of electrolytes is correct. If you’re not sure, contact your auto tune up service.

Hopefully this Q&A helps you understand your car battery a bit more, and will make it easier the next time your car won’t start…