You Can Count On Interstate Batteries®
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Not everyone is as dependable as Interstate Batteries.
You’d be surprised by some drivers out there. What’s no surprise is their cars always starting with Interstate Batteries.
Why, When and Where to Test a Car Battery
Regardless of climate, a regularly scheduled car battery test is the best way to know how your battery will behave in the future and whether you have a bad battery. Getting your battery tested is simple and easy—and usually free at repair shops across North America.
The Best Time to Test
Extreme weather can harm your car battery, so spring and fall are ideal times to prepare your battery for the potentially intense weather ahead. If there is any sign your car battery is struggling now, you'll likely have a problem during temperature changes.
A routine battery test done by a trusted professional is a great way to know your car battery's status, so you don't experience problems down the road.
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Did you know there are often telltale signs that your vehicle's battery is about to fail? Here are a few signs to watch out for:
- Slow engine crank
- Battery or check engine light is on*
- Low car battery fluid level
- A bloated or swollen battery case
- Corroded car battery terminals
- Dim headlights or interior lights
*The battery warning light may also be a mechanical issue and should be checked by a professional repair shop.
Will Driving a Car Charge a Battery?
It can but only when you drive at highway speeds for a significant period of time. The alternator charges your car's battery, but some factors may affect the alternator's ability to charge the battery, including:
- The amount of current diverted from the alternator to the battery
- How long the current is available (the drive time)
- The temperature of the battery
- The age of the battery
Driving your car regularly will keep the battery from draining itself. However, the alternator is not a true car battery charger. It's running all the onboard electronics. The best way to charge your battery is with a charger. The following situations may also keep the alternator from adequately recharging your battery:
- Battery drained because an interior light was left on
- Battery drained because a vehicle was not driven for a month or more
- Car only driven at slow speeds or in stop-and-go-traffic
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Keeping an Unused Car Battery From Dying
Your car's alternator charges the battery while you drive. But if the car sits unused for longer than two months, it will eventually drain and kill the car battery, especially if it is three years or older.
If your car is sitting still for a long period of time, you can preserve battery life a few ways. You can disconnect the security system, connect a trickle charger to your parked car or drive the vehicle for at least 30 minutes every few days to give a little charge to the battery.
Overheated Battery
If a car battery gets too hot, it may expand and leak battery acid, which can be dangerous for the car and anyone nearby. The car battery may even explode, sending shards of plastic, lead fragments and caustic battery acid all over the place.
If you smell rotten eggs, notice a car battery swelling or see steam coming out of it, the battery is probably overheated. If so, shut the engine down and wait for the vehicle to cool down before addressing the problem.
Battery Cool Down
