Vehicle Battery (ACB) - all you need to know.

Knowledge is power when it comes to your vehicle's battery and electrical system. In fact, it is the heart and soul of your trip. The last thing you want is to be left with a dead battery. The more you know about your battery and electrical system, the less likely you are to get stuck. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we're here to help you understand what's going on with your vehicle's battery and electrical system.

The average battery life is 3 to 5 years, but driving habits and exposure to extreme weather can shorten the life of your car battery. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we offer a free battery check every time you visit our store. This is a quick diagnostic test to evaluate the temperature at which the battery may fail. It also gives you some idea of ​​how much battery life you have left. One small test will show you if your battery is good.

BATTERY KNOWLEDGE

HOW EXACTLY DOES A CAR BATTERY WORK?

A car battery provides the electricity needed to power all the electrical components in a car. Talk about a pretty huge responsibility. Without a battery, your car, as you probably already noticed, will not start.

Let's see how this powerful little box works:

• A chemical reaction powers your car: Your battery converts chemical energy into the electrical energy needed to power your car by energizing the starter motor.
• Maintain a stable electrical current: Not only does your battery provide the energy you need to start your car, it also stabilizes the voltage (that's the term for an energy source) to keep your engine running. Much depends on the battery. Call it "the little box that could".

A car battery may be small, but the power it provides is enormous. Test your battery now with our virtual battery tester.

SYMPTOMS AND PROCEDURES

ARE THERE ANY WARNING SIGNS THAT MAY INDICATE MY BATTERY IS LOW?

“If only I had known sooner. We've all been there before. Fortunately, there are various signs and symptoms that indicate the need to replace the battery:

Slow cranking: When you try to start the car, the engine cranks sluggishly and takes longer than usual to start. You'd best describe it as the initial "rrrr" sound. Check Engine Light: The Check Engine light sometimes appears when the battery is low. Strange system lights, such as the check engine light and low coolant level, could indicate a problem with the battery. (It could also mean you need more coolant.) Low battery fluid level. Car batteries usually have a translucent part of the body, so you can always keep an eye on the level of fluid in the battery. You can also test it by removing the red and black caps if they are not closed (most modern car batteries now permanently seal these parts).

Bottom line: if the liquid level is below the lead plates (energy conductor) inside, it's time to check the battery and charging system. When the fluid level drops, it is usually caused by overcharging (heating). Swollen, swollen battery case: If the battery case looks like it has eaten a very large portion, this may indicate that the battery has failed. You can blame excessive heat for swelling the battery case, shortening battery life. Phew, smelly rotten egg smell: You may notice a strong rotten egg smell (sulphur smell) around the battery. Reason: The battery is leaking. Leakage also causes corrosion around the poles (where the + and - cable connections are located). Dirt may need to be removed or your car may not start. Three years + battery life is considered an old timer: your battery may last more than three years, but at least its current condition is checked annually when it reaches the three year mark . Battery life varies from three to five years depending on the battery. However, driving habits, weather, and frequent short trips (less than 20 minutes) can significantly shorten the actual life of your car battery.

HOW CAN I DETECT WHAT MY BATTERY IS TOO OLD?

First, you can check the four or five digit date code on the battery cover. The first part of the code is the key: look for the letter and number. Each month is assigned a letter - for example, A - January, B - February, and so on. The number that follows it indicates the year, for example 9 for 2009 and 1 for 2011. This code tells you when the battery was shipped from the factory to our local wholesale distributor. The extra numbers tell where the battery was made. Car batteries last an average of three to five years. Be aware that there are also signs of a weak battery to look out for, such as slow starting when the fluid level is low. If the battery case is swollen or swollen, the battery emits a stinky rotten egg smell, or the "Check Engine" light is on, the problem may be beyond repair. What if it's over three years old? Consider it time for close observation. That's what we're here for.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

CAN A BAD BATTERY DAMAGE THE CHARGING SYSTEM OR STARTER?

You bet. If you have a weak ankle, you tend to overcompensate for stress and strain on your healthy ankle. The same principle with a weak battery. When you have a weak battery, your car ends up putting extra stress on healthy parts. Charging system, starter or starter solenoid may be affected.

These parts can fail because they draw excessive voltage to make up for the lack of battery power. Leave this problem unresolved and you can replace expensive electrical parts, usually without warning.

A word of advice: our electrical system check ensures that all necessary parts are drawing the correct voltage. We will know right away if there are any weak parts that may need to be replaced immediately. Don't leave your car's power to chance, you can pay for it later.

HOW TO KNOW THAT YOUR GENERATOR IS NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO THE BATTERY?

Let's just say we are clairvoyants.

Jokes aside, let's start with the obvious symptoms:

• The electrical system is owned. Strange flickering lights or warning lights like "Check Engine" blinking, disappearing, then reappearing. All of these faults usually begin to occur when the car battery is nearly dead and unable to provide power. If the alternator fails, your battery will no longer receive a charge and is a few steps away from being completely discharged.
• Slow Crank. You start your car, and it keeps spinning and spinning, eventually starting or not. This may mean that your alternator is not charging the battery properly. If you also begin to experience a possessed electrical system, please go to the nearest service center. Your vehicle may be steps away from a dead battery and alternator.

Let's repeat: All of the above happens when the battery is not charging (due to a faulty alternator). Your battery will continue to drain. When it's completely empty... well, we all know what happens next: the car is locked. And neither you nor we want you to go through this.

A word of advice: The sooner we can inspect your vehicle, the less likely you are to face every driver's biggest fear - a car that won't start. Ride with peace of mind.

OUR SERVICES

IS IT TRUE THAT YOU PROVIDE FREE VEHICLE BATTERY TESTS?

You bet. Just ask for it during any vehicle maintenance and we will test your battery for peak performance with our early detection analyzer. In return, you'll get peace of mind knowing how much time is left in your battery or if a replacement is recommended. We'll also provide you with ways to increase battery life if it's in "good" working condition. Learn more about our "Early Detection Analyzer".

If you want to get a head start, you can measure your battery life right now with our online virtual battery tester.

WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE USE FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE FOR CAR BATTERY REPLACEMENT?

We have the skills and we work with quality batteries. We offer a free battery check on every visit, as well as identify battery health and possible faults so you have less guesswork.

THE PUSH THAT YOUR RIDE SHOULD RIDE

Turning your trip on is a tricky business. But here's a simple fact: you need a working battery to make it work. After all, without a battery, your car will not start. Your car battery supplies the electricity needed to keep electrical components running. It also converts chemical energy into electrical energy, which powers your car and energizes its starter. And it stabilizes the voltage (also known as the power source) that keeps your engine running. It's important, really.

Come for a complete electrical check .Check out our current offers and battery specials .Check your car battery life with our virtual battery tester .Find the right battery for your car at the best price.Enter your zip code to find the nearest one shop to you.