By Elinor Fowle


Dealing with a failed car battery is never convenient. It can give out without warning. Bringing your vehicle to an auto repair shop regularly to have the battery serviced increases the likelihood that you can repair or replace it before it reaches the end of its lifespan.

Consult your owner's manual to find out the manufacturer's recommendation for having your battery inspected. An auto repair shop may be able to check the battery in the course of performing other routine maintenance services, such as oil changes.

Your battery can be tested by your mechanic to find out whether it is still capable of holding a charge. Your mechanic can additionally check of and eliminate any corrosion that is present at or around the terminals. When this white, chalky substance starts to accumulate, electrical conduction can decline.

There are times when batteries appear to be defective or dead when the problem is simply loose connections. Technicians should check the battery contacts before making any moves to replace the actual battery.

Auto care professionals offer tips to help you minimize the risk that a dead battery will leave you stranded. Most batteries last from three to five years. If you know how old your battery is, you may be able to replace it before the end of its life expectancy. If you're not sure how old it is, you can check the date code listed on it, or consider its general appearance to gauge its age.

You should also look for the common indicators that your battery is starting to wear down. If your engine is starting to crank slowly or if your headlights appear to be dim when the engine isn't running and these lights are turned on, these are fairly sure signs that the battery has to be replaced.

Leaving the lights or other electrical devices on can drain the battery, too, so consider that possibility if the electrical system makes a clicking or buzzing noise when you try to start it, and the car won't turn over.

It's often difficult to predict when a battery will give out completely, but having it inspected regularly can get you back on the road with minimal disruptions.




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