Your car battery provides the electricity responsible for starting your vehicle as well as powering the electrical components inside. It works off of a chemical reaction; it converts the chemical energy stored inside of it to electrical energy to keep the engine running and keep electric current at a steady amperage. Then, in turn as the engine runs and uses your car’s fuel the battery the charge is restored to the battery through a process known as trickle charging.
When You Need to Replace Your Battery
Even though the battery is recharged through the running of your engine, it still has a considerable load that is put on the battery (remember it runs all electric components like heated seats and windows, AC fans, etc.). Therefore, your battery should be replaced every 3-5 years depending on the use of your car. Some signs of a lacking battery are the first signs of slow starting, if your headlights are dim at idle, gauges indicating discharge with the engine running at high idle or just overall loss of your car’s performance.
How We Can Help
We carry a full line of batteries including brands like Exide and Delco. Bring your car in and we can give you a complementary battery check-up and replace it if need be. Keep in mind that lead-acid batteries contain a sulfuric acid electrolyte (a highly corrosive poison which will produce gasses when recharged and can explode if ignited) so it’s best to leave the change out in the hands of a professional.