A car battery is what supplies electricity to your car. It’s arguably one of the most components of your car, more so if you are driving an electric or hybrid car. So today, let’s find out when and why would you need car battery replacement services.
What is a Car Battery?
A car battery is essentially a device that uses chemical reactions to produce electricity and stores it. This energy is used by the starter motor, fuel system and ignition system of your car to get started. And once the car is started, the alternator supplies energy to recharge the car battery.
Although most cars have only one battery, some high-end cars might have an auxiliary battery as well. On the other hand, electric cars are equipped with traction batteries in addition to the standard 12-volt batteries. These traction batteries keep the engine running – the work done by petrol, diesel or gas in standard cars. So naturally, they have a higher voltage than standard batteries.
When is the Right Time for Car Battery Replacement Services?
A battery goes through normal wear and tear and would normally need a replacement after 4 to 7 years depending on the type of car battery and how much you use it. However, sometimes, you might need to replace your car battery before or long after that. You will need a battery replacement if one of the following things happen.
1. The Car Doesn’t Start
If your car refuses to start, it might be time to visit an expert mechanic to find out what’s wrong with it. A lot of times, it might be because your car battery needs replacement. Every car battery comes with a specified amount of power it can supply to your car. This is often known as the cranking amps rating of the battery. However as your car battery gets older, the actual amps it can supply reduce. And when these amps reduce below a threshold, your car won’t start.
2. Battery Warning Light
Keep an eye on your dashboard. It keeps you updated about any issues occurring in your car. If your car’s battery or charging system warning light is on, you might want to get your car battery looked at by a professional.
3. Failing Components
When your car battery is dying, it will start affecting all the car components that need electricity. So, if your car’s electric components start malfunctioning, it is time to take your car to a mechanic.
Why do you need Battery Replacement Services?
You can still drive your car if you are facing battery problems. However, waiting for the last moment might not be that good of an idea. If you don’t get your car battery replaced at the right time, it can die at any moment and you could be left stranded. Moreover, a damaged or faulty battery would put extra pressure on the alternator. And it can lead to the malfunctioning of your car’s electric systems. You should perform a load test on the battery to test its capacity and ensure that it is not dying.
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How It is Done?
If you think your car battery is dying, take your car to an expert and get it thoroughly checked. If your car battery needs replacement, a mechanic will do the following:
- The mechanic will install a temporary power source before removing the battery if it hasn’t completely died yet
- He will remove the negative and positive cable respectively, loosen the tie-down system and then remove the battery
- The battery cables are inspected and cleaned. If the cable is corroded, it might need to be replaced as well
- The new battery is installed and the tie-down system and the cables are reinstalled. The mechanic might also apply an anti-corrosion compound to the battery terminal.
- The car is started to test the battery output
Wrapping up
Get your car’s battery checked during regular car maintenance to make sure it’s working fine. You can post a request on Swezo and get quotes from reputed mechanics in your area in a matter of minutes.
