what to do when you have a bad battery
If you have some common symptoms of a bad battery and you've confirmed it with a free battery test* at your local Advance Auto Parts, the obvious first step is to replace it. You may want to tackle that yourself (and here's how). If not, after purchase, an Advance associate will even install your battery for you. It's just one of the free services Advance offers.
We live in the age of recycling, of course and your car battery is no exception. When you purchase your battery from Advance, simply leave your old battery with us so we can recycle it for you.
how long should a new battery last?
Your battery needs to be able to handle the electronic demands of your vehicle, which are constantly increasing as technology continues to evolve. And - like most things in life - you get what you pay for. Demanding too much from a battery not properly rated for your car will cause it to wear out prematurely. With good driving habits, the average battery can last three or even four years. We recommend DieHard Gold or Platinum AGM batteries, which are top performers with generous three-year warranties. Ask your Advance Auto Parts associate for help finding the right battery for your vehicle.
how to get the most from your new battery
Many batteries these days do not require maintenance. There are, however, some things you can do to help your new battery performing well. Follow these tips for getting the most from your battery:
- For just a few bucks, grab a battery terminal protection kit. The kit includes two felt pads that fit over the battery terminals and dielectric grease. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to repel moisture and prevent corrosion at the terminals, keeping the connection between your battery and cables strong.
- Avoid letting the battery sit for long periods of time or only making short trips. Every battery slowly discharges over time, even when not in use. The alternator recharges the battery, but it doesn't have time to do that when you only drive a mile or two at a time.
- Keep your battery secured in place with the hold down bracket so it doesn't vibrate excessively. This can damage internal components and lead to premature failure.
- Don't constantly drain the battery by listening to music or running the A/C when the engine isn't running.
- Take reasonable steps to avoid excessive heat. Parking in a garage to avoid the sun's heat, or even parking in the shade can help lower temperatures under the hood. Heat is the number one killer of batteries, so minimizing it is a great step you can take to protect your battery.
Of course, batteries do wear out over time, so remember to stop by Advance Auto Parts for free battery tests*.
*Car battery testing and installation available on most automotive vehicles, at most locations, unless prohibited by law.
