Have you ever been in a humiliating situation in a mall parking lot when your car refused to start? Fortunately, if you know what to look for, you can tell when your battery is about to die.
Vehicle batteries are not designed to last indefinitely; they degrade over time. Because a car cannot start with a dead battery, you must replace it. A car battery does more than just start your car. Learn how to replace car battery to avoid being stranded.
How do I know I need to replace my car battery?
Car batteries rarely die suddenly. If you look closely, you will notice some telltale signs. You can easily avoid the embarrassment of a dead battery during short trips if you know what to look for.
Do you know how to tell a dying battery that it needs to be replaced? The first thing to check is your headlights. A decrease in the brightness of the headlights is an obvious sign of a dying battery.
Most cars have a charging system that ensures your battery has juice whenever you drive or leave your car running. An old battery will have you jump-starting your vehicle or revving the engine because the vehicle will not charge an old battery. You may also experience difficulties starting your car in what mechanics or auto shops call a “hard start.” It takes some energy to turn the starter motor.
Have you noticed unusual power fluctuations when you start or drive your car? That’s another battery problem you should keenly monitor when changing a car battery.
What causes battery deterioration?
Your car’s battery will degrade over time, and there is nothing you can do about it except replace it. On the other hand, understanding the causes of battery deterioration can help you extend battery life.
Time is one of the most common causes of battery problems. Car battery changing is one of those car services you cannot avoid. After a few charge cycles, A will naturally begin to discharge.
Temperature can also have an impact on battery life. At higher temperatures, battery acid evaporates from a car battery.
Do you go off-road frequently? Vibrations can reduce the battery’s life. The vibrations destroy the internal components of the battery.
Finally, if you find yourself frequently jump-starting your car, you are on your way to purchasing a new battery from an auto parts store. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the best battery maintenance schedule, or come to Kiwi’s Auto Repair for battery service and replacement.
Testing your car battery
If you walk into any service center in the Santa Barbara, CA area, you will almost certainly be given a free battery test. Wouldn’t it be great if you could take the test at home? The two main battery tests, however, can be performed at home with minimal tools.
Headlight test
Start your car in neutral or park with your headlights turned on. Try revving the engine to see if the brightness of the headlights changes. When you rev the engine, the headlights become brighter, indicating a low battery current. Replace your car battery at our Santa Barbara auto repair shop.
Digital multimeter test
This next test necessitates the use of a digital multimeter. You can easily obtain one from an electronics store. Set the multimeter to 20 volts of direct current. Connect the probes to the positive and negative terminals next. The black one is connected to the negative battery terminal, while the red one is connected to the positive battery terminal. Turn on the headlights and check the voltmeter readings.
Your battery is fully charged if your voltmeter reads 12.5 volts. If you get 11.8 volts or less, your battery is less than 25% charged and should be replaced.
How do you replace your old car battery?
Most auto parts stores will offer you a replacement battery. You can, however, learn how to change a car battery and save a few dollars.
The first step is to locate the battery. Some vehicles have batteries in the engine bay and others in the trunk. Check your owner’s manual to find the exact location. Once you locate the battery tray, you might need a socket wrench and just a few tools to remove the battery terminals or cables. First, engage the parking brake before working on it.
Remove the negative cable before the positive cable to avoid an electric shock or short circuit of the electrical system when the terminals come into contact with metal objects. They have the negative sign and the positive sign, respectively. Lift the old battery and properly dispose of it at a recycling center.
Clean the battery tray and connectors with a wire brush and baking soda paste before installing the new battery. Wear eye protection because most batteries contain caustic products. When installing the battery, you can also apply a thin layer of grease to the terminals. Install the positive terminal first, followed by the negative terminal. After tightly securing each terminal, check the cold cranking amps to ensure your new battery works properly.
How Much is a Battery Replacement?
A new battery for your vehicle can be purchased for $75 to $120 at your local auto parts store. Prepare to spend up to $200 on a high-quality battery. Do you own an electric or hybrid vehicle? Electric and hybrid vehicles require different battery systems and are typically more expensive. They range in price from $1,000 to $6,000.
Looking for an affordable battery replacement in Santa Barbara, CA? Visit Kiwi Auto Repair
When it’s time to replace your vehicle’s battery, bring it to Kiwi Auto Repair. We are an ASE-certified garage and will inspect your battery. We have specialized tools and other devices that allow us to test and replace vehicle batteries without causing any damage to your electrical system.
We also provide a full range of auto repair and maintenance services for various vehicle types using OEM-specified part numbers. Please contact us at (805) 9633444 or make an appointment online.