When it comes to your car battery, knowing when to change it is a very tricky but necessary skill. Because battery life varies, it is not easy to apply a time frame to when you should change it but as tricky as it is, your car will give a few tell-tale signs when it is time. You should start being concerned if
- You are jump-starting frequently.
- You notice your headlights getting dimmer.
- You have trouble turning the engine on.
Normally, the alternator of the car will charge the battery as you drive. A battery lasts longer when it is given proper care but there are factors that can shorten its lifespan. These include extreme weather conditions, leaving lights on (or anything that leaves your car needing a jumpstart), and the absence of hardware to hold it down.
Even with proper care, the battery has a finite life cycle and will eventually exceed the number of charges it can take and need to be replaced. When replacing your battery, apart from seeking the best battery prices, one should also try and buy as fresh a battery as possible, instead of one that has already used up some of its lifespan sitting on the shelf. Lastly, it is advisable to check your battery for any signs of deterioration at any time, to be in the know. At Kelston Fast Lane [or your local battery centre], for your convenience, there is a special meter that can check the health of your battery, which helps to avoid the inconvenience of having your battery die on you. There's never a bad time to check and this should be a free service, so why not bring your vehicle in, just to be safe.
