Tip #18: Test an aging battery in the fall and replace it on your schedule, not the weather's
Every car battery wears out, and most give only subtle warnings first. If yours is several years old, have it tested in the fall and replace it at a time and place you choose, rather than waiting for it to strand you in a parking lot.
Tip #18 in one line
Every car battery wears out, and most give only subtle warnings first. If yours is several years old, have it tested in the fall and replace it at a time and place you choose, rather than waiting for it to strand you in a parking lot.
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Call nowAge is the strongest clue
Battery life depends on climate, driving habits and the car's electrical load, but every battery has a finite life. Find the date code on the case or the installation sticker. If you do not know how old the battery is, that alone is a reason to test it.
In New Jersey the damage is often done in summer, when heat speeds up the internal wear, and the failure comes in winter, when the cold takes away the margin.
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Call nowGet it tested, not guessed
A load test or electronic battery test shows how much starting power is left, which a simple voltage reading can miss. Many parts stores test batteries free, and your mechanic can test it at an oil change.
Before you replace it, check the owner's manual for the correct battery type and size for your car. Many newer vehicles, especially those with start-stop systems, need a specific type of battery, and some need to have the new battery registered with the car's computer after installation. A shop or parts store that installs batteries can handle that for you.
We do not sell or install batteries, so we have no reason to tell you yours is bad. A battery that tests weak in October is worth replacing before December.
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Call nowSigns it is near the end
A slower crank than usual, especially on cold mornings. A battery warning light. Electrical oddities like dim lights at idle or a clock that resets. Corrosion building on the terminals. A case that looks swollen, which means stop using it immediately.
Short trips, long periods parked, and heavy electrical use with the engine off all wear a battery faster. If the car sits for weeks at a time, such as a second car or a car left at the airport, a battery maintainer plugged in at home can keep it charged. Ask your mechanic whether a maintainer is right for your car and battery type.
Needing a jump more than once in a short period is the clearest sign of all, unless the real cause is the alternator or a drain; see Tips #19 and #20.
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Call nowIf it dies before you replace it
A jump start gets the engine running and the technician tests the battery and charging system on the spot. If it will not hold, a local tow to your mechanic or parts store is quoted on the same call to (908) 444-0129, so you are not billed a second callout. The jump start guide explains the test.
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Call nowMore on batteries
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- Dead car battery in a New Jersey winter: why it happens and what to do
- Tip #11: Jump-start in the right order, and finish on bare metal, not the battery
- Tip #12: Never jump a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking or frozen
- Tip #19: If the car dies while driving, suspect the alternator before the battery
- Tip #20: A battery that dies every few days usually has something draining it
- Tip #85: Test your battery every fall once it is a few years old
- Tip #87: If your battery keeps dying, have the alternator load-tested at a shop
- Tip #93: Modern cars and EVs drain their 12-volt battery while parked
- All posts
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