The battery under your car’s hood relies on a lead-acid chemical reaction to supply the electricity needed to start the engine. It also initially powers the lights, the radio and accessories. Once the engine kicks in, the alternator supplies the power necessary to run the vehicle.
Like all batteries, your car’s battery runs down over time. When this happens, it can’t produce the electricity needed to start the vehicle. You don’t have to wait until the battery dies before replacing it. In Bridgman, battery testing at the Brookfield CDJR Service Center can determine if your battery needs to be replaced. We’ll offer you a high-quality battery and install it quickly.
A car battery lasts from three to five years. If you replace it every three years, it will lessen the probability it will die. Look for signs that your car’s battery is on its way out. This is especially important if you live in a locale that experiences extreme temperatures. Common warning signs of a weak battery include:
Battery life is affected by the weather. When it gets very hot, the water inside the battery can evaporate, resulting in reduced performance. The car may be hard to start. Additionally, when the water in the battery evaporates, it increases the likelihood of corrosion, which is the main reason batteries leak and fail.
Cold temperature can also affect the battery. When the thermometer drops below freezing, the battery must work harder to produce the electricity necessary to run the vehicle properly. Cold weather also thickens the engine oil, which strains the battery even further.
Here in the Bridgman area, we experience cold winters with temperatures in the 20s at night, so you may find that you need to replace your car’s battery more frequently than once every three years. At the Brookfield CDJR Service Center, when you bring your car in for battery testing and inspection, we’ll check it for leaks and corrosion and inspect the cables and battery case to make sure the battery is in top condition.
If your car is starting slow, don’t wait. Contact us and schedule your battery inspection today. Brookfield CDJR is located at 1845 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor. We look forward to helping you!