Updated November 14, 2024
You know the story – you wake up one morning, get ready for work, start your car and … nothing happens. A car battery going bad is a common occurrence, and one that is often easy to fix.
But if you want to avoid having one of those mornings where your car won’t start, getting your battery checked out regularly identifies problems with your battery early.
The battery helps start a vehicle, provides extra power when needed, and even helps certain computers run after the car is turned off.
Batteries should be checked as part of a normal oil change service. Following the battery test, you should receive information on the health of your battery, so you know if the battery will need a replacement in the near future.
While examining the battery, our technicians check the starter and charging system.
How long a car battery lasts
How can you tell how well your car battery is doing? Battery power is rated with what’s called cold cranking amps (CCA).
CCA refers to how long a battery can supply a certain number of amps at 0 degrees, for 30 seconds, while maintaining at least 7.2 volts. The bigger the vehicle, the more amps are needed due to the engine size and power needed to start it.
Through day-to-day use, a battery’s capacity gradually decreases.
A good battery should last around 5 years. The can depend on different factors, including where the vehicle is driven. If you live in hotter or colder climates, that may shorten the lifespan.
It may also be impacted by corrosion buildup, the quality of the terminals, and whether a good battery hold down is in place.
What to keep in mind when buying batteries
If your car is due for a new battery, you’re likely wondering what your best options are.
It’s important to note that while a few companies make a majority of car batteries in the market, not all batteries and battery brands are the same. There will be slight variations in the thickness of the lead plates, the CCA capacity, and warranties.
HomeTowne Auto Repair and Tire is an authorized dealer of Interstate Batteries. Factory batteries usually last 3 or 4 years, while these are rated for 5 years. The warranty also follows the battery.
Another reason why we like using Interstate Batteries is because they secure their batteries so they aren’t sliding around. Batteries that are put in the back of a pickup truck or in a parts car could get jostled around and the plates may crack and break, creating bad cells.
As a rule, you can expect to get what you pay for when it comes to battery replacement. If a battery is super cheap, it’s for a reason.
When going to a store, unless you know what brands are better it’s going to boil down to group size and CCA.
For example, if you have a Mercedes that requires 750 CCA, it’s because it has more things to turn on. A battery that is of the same group size but only has 500 CCA isn’t going to last.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located near Dumfries, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.