Bradley’s Auto Service in Red Bank, NJ, offers professional car battery replacement services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Your car battery is crucial to starting your engine. It stores power produced by the alternator and runs the secondary electric systems such as your lights, radio, power seats, power windows, and extra electrical parts in your automobile. If your battery stops working, your car isn’t going to be going anywhere, so it’s important to keep an eye on it and have it replaced when it stops working properly.
What Causes a Dead Car Battery?
There are several causes behind a car battery that just won’t do its job. Some of them have to do with factors outside of our control, like extreme temperature fluctuations, while others have a mechanical origin that can either be corrected or prevented. These include:
- Parasitic Draw: a parasitic drain occurs when your car’s electrical systems continue to use battery power, despite the car being turned completely off. Unlike when you leave your headlights on overnight, a parasitic drain occurs when electricity continues to be pulled from the battery without an obvious cause. If you suspect a parasitic draw, you should have it diagnosed by our professionals.
- Corroded Connections: the terminals that connect your battery to the vehicle can become corroded or damaged over time. When this occurs, it’s difficult for your battery to maintain its connection to the car, leading to loss of power.
- Alternator Issues: your car battery charges while you’re driving, and this is accomplished through the alternator. If your car isn’t able to adequately keep its battery charged, it may signify the need for a replacement alternator.
When Should You Replace Your Car Battery?
If your car battery is waning or dead, you won’t need to guess the problem. In general, the issues of a bad battery will be obvious and make themselves known right away. Here are just a few ways to tell that you need to replace your car battery:
- Your car doesn’t start. A new battery has a specified capacity to provide power. This capacity is referred to as the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating of the battery. As a battery ages, the actual amps that a battery can supply becomes lower than its original rating. Once the cranking amps fall below a critical threshold, it will be difficult or impossible to start your car.
- The battery or charging system warning light has turned on. Should a battery or charging system warning light illuminate, a mechanic should perform a few basic tests to determine if a battery replacement is needed.
- Electrical components don’t work. Once a battery has started to fail, and the voltage produced by the battery drops, vehicle electrical components, such as the security system, can malfunction. If you are experiencing electrical malfunctions, it’s a smart idea to have the battery tested.
If your vehicle is experiencing any of these issues, it might be time to consider getting your old or dying car battery replaced with a new one.
How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Car Battery
To help increase the longevity of your car battery, we suggest the following:
- Clean off rust and add anti-corrosive protection.
- Tighten up loosened hold-down clamps and terminals.
- Test battery condition.
- Check the alternator belt tension and wear and tear.
- Don’t forget to shut down the front lights, cabin lights, and radio when the car is not being used.
Is it Safe to Drive with a Battery Problem?
Yes, but if your battery is weak, you might be left stranded somewhere if it dies completely and you cannot start your car. A faulty battery may also needlessly overload the alternator and could adversely affect the operation of the vehicle’s electrical system, including the vehicle security system and the shift interlock.
Visit Our Red Bank, NJ, Shop For New Car Battery Installation Service and More
Call or contact Bradley’s Auto Service in Red Bank, New Jersey, today to schedule a car battery replacement or a new car battery installation. Our ASE-certified mechanics have built a reputation for providing honest, professional auto services. Whatever your vehicle’s problem is, we can handle it. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
