So, you've had a dead car battery before and you don't want to be left stranded like that ever again. However, you don't know what to do to keep that from happening again. Here are a few things that you can do that will help minimize the chances of finding yourself dealing with a dead battery:
Know the Age of Your Car Battery
Car batteries can last somewhere between three and five years, depending on their size, your driving habits and amp hours. If you can keep track of how old your battery is, you can make sure to replace it before there is ever the chance of running into trouble. To find out the age of your vehicle's battery, you will need to pop your car's hood and take a look at the battery. As a general rule, there will be a small circle sticker that will have the date on it. If there isn't a sticker, then you can take it to an auto repair shop where an expert can take a look and decipher the age of your battery by locating the manufacturer's date code.
Recognize Warning Signs of Battery Trouble
When your battery is about to fail on you, your engine will often crank very slowly one the ignition is turned. Another way to tell if you are going to have battery trouble in the near future is by turning on your headlights prior to starting the car. If you notice that the headlights are extremely dim, then it's time to get that battery replaced before you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere. Of course, your battery can fail at any time even without giving you warning signs. You may have just accidentally left your lights on and drained the battery. After a jump start, it should start and run fine. However, it is best to go ahead and replace the battery as soon as possible.
Get a Battery Test – for Free
You can go just about anywhere to get a battery test, but only certain places will provide this service free of charge. Usually, you need to go to a big chain auto parts store, although Some independent auto repair shops may offer battery tests for free or for a nominal fee. The test will determine whether your battery needs to be replaced or if it still good to go for a little while longer.
To find out more about keeping your car's battery in tip-top shape or to schedule a replacement, contact a local auto repair shop, such as Wolfe's Foreign Auto.
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