When should you get a car battery?
It’s a good idea to buy a new car battery before your current one fails. Car batteries have a shelf life, which is typically listed with an expiration date some three to six years out. If you purchase a new battery now intending to use it within a few months, it’s still considered new for up to six months.
What are the dates on car batteries?
The first character will be a number from zero through nine that corresponds to the last digit in the year in which the battery was manufactured. For example, a five would mean 2015. The second character is a letter that refers to the month the battery was made.
What should a car battery be at when off?
12.4-12.9 volts
A good car battery should read 12.4-12.9 volts when the car is off. Anything lower doesn’t necessarily mean the battery is bad. Your car’s electrical system may have drained it, or there may be an issue with your alternator.
What should I do when my car battery needs to be replaced?
The procedure varies for different cars, but it won’t take you long to google it. To avoid this problem, many repair shops use a simple memory saving device that keeps the engine computer powered during battery replacement. In modern cars, the idle speed is re-learned as you drive.
How is the life of a car battery determined?
To begin with, we know that the life of a car battery varies based on three key factors: time, heat and vibration. Let’s take a closer look at each. Like people, car batteries age over time and have a finite lifespan.
When does a car battery need to be recharge?
A car battery is rechargeable. It uses its charge to power the vehicle systems while it’s parked and to turn over the engine when you want to start it. Once you start the car, the alternator generates additional electric power to recharge the battery. Read more about recharging below.
What should the voltage of a car battery be?
The battery voltage is a good indicator of the state of charge of the battery. A fully charged battery should read 12.6 volts or more with the engine off. Testing the capacity of the battery with a voltmeter is more difficult. One way is to test the voltage of the battery under load, for example, with the headlights on.
What makes a car battery last so long?
There is no simple answer, but based on decades of industry experience, we know that three key factors affect the life of a car battery: time, heat and vibration. Batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine.
What do you need to know about car batteries?
Here’s what you need to know to choose the right one for your vehicle. We’ve all experienced the stomach-churning trauma of a dead car battery. You need to be somewhere and you’re running late. You jump in, twist the key or push the start button, and . . . nothing! Or maybe just a sickening click-click.
When does a car battery need to be replaced?
Let’s take a closer look at each. Like people, car batteries age over time and have a finite lifespan. Even in ideal operating conditions, batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine. Automobile usage patterns also contribute to battery aging.
What’s the best way to keep a car battery charged?
Drive the car regularly to keep the battery charged. Car batteries recharge when you drive, so don’t leave the car sitting for weeks at a time. Take drives of at least 20 minutes once a week to give your battery enough time to recharge. If you can’t drive the car for any reason, let it run for 20 minutes without moving.