Batteries

If you’re comfortable under the hood, some battery maintenance tasks aren’t that difficult, such as cleaning off corrosion or tightening the clamps. Corrosion can appear as white or green chalk around the posts and terminals. If you spot any, clean it with a soft-bristle brush, like an old toothbrush. Make sure the fasteners are secure, then add a good measure of dielectric gel to the posts and terminals to prevent corrosion. However, replacing a car battery can be complex, even for professionals, and doing it improperly can damage your vehicle.

Car battery replacement can typically take as little as 20 to 30 minutes with a qualified auto mechanic. This may include resetting the onboard computer and registering the battery.

The more obvious signs include needing a jump-start or a slow crank. However, there are more subtle signs, such as your headlights dimming while idling, the initial startup sounding unfamiliar, or any glitches in the electronics, including door locks and windows. If you experience any of these with your vehicle, it’s much easier to bring in your vehicle before the battery dies completely. Schedule your free battery check now.

Keep your car battery charged, either with regular driving or with a trickle charger, and keep the terminals clean. A knowledgeable technician can also check your car’s voltage, tighten fasteners, clean the battery, and apply anti-corrosion dielectric gel. Avoid frequent short trips. The repeated start, stop, start cycle strains your battery without giving it much time on the alternator to recuperate. Also, avoid leaving lights on or accessories plugged in when the vehicle is off.

Our certified technicians use top-of-the-line testers called conductance testers that test the voltage and amperage as well as the internal resistance of the battery, which identifies how well your battery can conduct electricity. Each test compares the cold cranking amp ratings to the normal operating range specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Unless you have the tools and knowledge to do so correctly, it’s recommended to bring in your vehicle for a free battery check.