As a conscientious driver, you do your best to care for your vehicle. Even so, your vehicle's battery may unexpectedly die. No matter what happens, you want to be prepared. This short guide explains what to do if car battery dies plus some great gear to have on hand that gets you back on the road.
Emergency Steps to Take with a Dead Car Battery
A dead battery can produce several symptoms. The most obvious is clicking when you turn the key, followed by...nothing. Other signs aren't quite as drastic but still point to a failing battery:
- Dim headlights
- Nonfunctional electrical components
- Slow engine cranking
- Swollen battery case
These symptoms indicate that your battery is on the verge of dying, but you'll also want to watch out for odd sulfur-like odors and that dreaded "Check Engine" light on your dashboard. Finally, consider your battery's age. Most batteries are designed to last between four and six years. If yours is three or four years old, it may be time to get a new one.
Preventing Common Causes of Battery Failure
Design and lifespan are vital factors in determining when a battery will fail. Driving habits also contribute by extending its useful life or draining it before its time. Common culprits of early battery failure include extreme temperatures, loose or corroded battery connections, and parasitic draws — things like leaving your headlights on or accidentally forgetting to shut the glovebox.
The Problem With Quick Trips
Too many short drives can also wreak havoc on your vehicle's power cell. When your engine's running, the alternator recharges your battery. Short jaunts — typically under 30 minutes — may not be long enough or produce a consistently high enough RPM rate to let the alternator do its job. For that reason, you should avoid too many "quick trips" in your car unless absolutely necessary. Also, remember that too much stop-and-go driving doesn't;t adequately recharge your battery.
Emergency Battery Chargers
Besides good driving habits, keeping a battery charger on hand can save you a lot of headaches. Battery chargers can jump-start your vehicle, top off a battery's charge level, and keep it from draining if the vehicle is garaged for long periods.
When it comes to battery charges, you have lots of options from which to choose. No matter what type you buy, check your battery charger's instruction manual for proper charging and maintenance directions. You can also check out this video with Duralast battery charger instructions, which should also apply to most other vehicle battery brands.
What To Do With a Dead Car Battery
If your battery is old or beyond saving, replacing it is your next step. When swapping your battery return the old one to the store from where you buy the replacement. You'll probably pay a core charge with your purchase, but the store will refund it if you bring the spent battery. Moreover, returning old batteries allows them to be recycled.
Finding the correct battery type for your vehicle is as easy as using a VIN number lookup. You can also select its year, make, model, and submodel on your preferred auto parts retailer's website.
