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Car Battery Services in Westmount, ON

Batteries

Is your car failing to start because of a dead battery? You’d never want to find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere because your battery had died.

The principal objective of an automotive battery or car battery is to send an electric current to an electric-powered starting motor, which starts the internal combustion engine that is chemically powered.

This process is what propels the car to operate. The battery continuously supplies power for the electrical system once the engine runs. The alternator oversees the battery’s charging system as demand rises or drops. Dead batteries can be very disturbing when it comes to cars because they practically control the car.

Car Batteries are grouped by different factors; physical difference, terminal placements, and mounting styles. Let’s consider some terms related to universal specifications.

  1. Amp-hours – It is the unit associated with the energy stored capacity of the battery.
  2. Reserve Capacity Minutes – A battery’s ability to sustain an electrical load.
  3. Group Sizes – Specifications on the physical dimensions of a battery, such as a length, breadth, and height.

How do car batteries work?

Having adequate knowledge about how your car battery operates can be very beneficial because, without the car battery, the car will certainly never start.

  • The car battery provides voltage to the power by converting chemical energy into electrical energy.
  • The function of the battery does not end on starting the car alone; it also stabilizes the voltage to keep the engine running.
  • It is also responsible for powering your headlights and any traffic indicators necessary on the road.

 How long does a battery last?

The car battery may be small in size, but its function is huge and important. A car battery, in general, tends to have a battery life of 3 to 5 years. But many factors can affect the lifespan of your battery like extreme cold or heat, and going long periods without starting your vehicle.

It’s important to understand the signs that may indicate that your battery is beginning to fail.

  1. Distressing, dull-witted, or cold cranking of the engine – When starting your vehicle, the engine is inactive and takes much time to respond.
  2. Inspecting the engine light – Sometimes, your engine light can give a heads up of a weak battery system. Unusual indicator lights such as the coolant can also mean your battery is susceptible to damage.
  3. A significant drop in the battery fluid – Battery fluid is basically an electrolyte, a mixture of sulphuric acid and distilled water. It is responsible for generating electricity that provides efficiency. Put simply; it ensures the altering of stored chemical energy to electrical energy. The battery fluid can evaporate and needs to be refilled; it can be checked regularly by removing the red and black caps if it is not tightly sealed.
  4. Changes in the shape of your battery – If your car battery starts to take the shape of a ball rather than a box, it is a sign that your battery has definitely gone bad. This can be caused by overheating and may definitely demand a battery replacement.
  5. A pungent or unpleasant smell – A car battery may emit the smell of a rotten egg, which may be a result of leaking that ends up causing gunk around the posts. In this case, the guck has to be detached for the car to start.
  6. A car battery naturally starts to go bad as it gets old – A battery that is 3 years+ old is considered old and may be susceptible to damage. Your battery is capable of functioning well even after three years, but it is best to get it checked yearly. The normal range of a battery lifespan is universally between 3 to 5 years. Still, weather conditions (extreme cold), incessant or recurrent short trips, and certain driving habits can drastically shorten the lifespan of an automotive battery.

Let’s say you have a weak leg; it is only natural that you tend to over compensate by putting more than enough weight on the other leg.

So, this same principle works with your car. When the battery gets weaker, more than required pressure is posed on the other parts, which makes them highly susceptible to damage as well. The charging system and the starter solenoid are affected because they are forced to draw more voltage to compensate for the lack or insufficient supply of battery power. The alternator supplies the battery’s power, but how do you know if your alternator is not supplying the right amount of power to your battery?

Let’s begin with the apparent signs:

  • Unusual flickering lights such as the check engine appear and disappear recurrently, which means that the battery is eventually draining due to a faulty alternator. The alternator is basically responsible for charging the battery. If it is defective, then your battery will slowly stop working in a matter of time.
  • Cold-cranking, as mentioned earlier, can be caused by a faulty alternator. You start your car, and it is still failing to respond properly after trying and trying consecutive times. This can simply mean that the alternator is faulty or not charging the battery. Please visit the nearest facility to fix that because, in no time, your battery may die in the middle of nowhere.

How do I care for my battery?

Keep away from a tow charge or a costly overhaul by keeping your battery in shape for high performance.

Below are a few tips for maintaining your car battery;

  • Ensure the cables are tidied: Ensure that the top part of the battery is thoroughly cleaned and get rid of any corrosion from the cables by using the appropriate equipment. Take your time and remove the cables to clean properly further.
  • Look over the electrolyte level: Carefully remove the covers of the cells. If the battery lacks enough water, this could be a sign to bring your car in for service
  • Check the state and imposition of the car battery: Ensure that the electrolyte in each cell is checked and tested regularly to confirm the battery’s efficiency.
  • Replacing car battery: Another way to ensure a proper battery system is to replace the old or faulty one with a high-performance battery. When returning the battery, make sure to remove the cables first. Make sure to detach the negative cable first before detaching the positive cable.

Car Batteries are really important; it is basically the soul of the car. Without a car battery, it is practically very obvious that the car will never start. It is responsible for charging the engine to run and stabilize the vehicle’s electrical system. Batteries moderately degrade as time goes on, and the time it takes to do that falls between the time range of 3 to 5 years.

The pattern of the car’s usage can be a major factor in the rate of the longevity of the car battery, short trips tend to affect the battery’s performance because they may not fully recharge. Cars parked for a very long time can also result in the battery completely blacking out. All these and many more are factors that contribute to a faster deterioration of a Car’s battery system.

The lifespan of a battery can be increased with the appropriate care and maintenance. Regularly cleaning and getting rid of corrosion is one of the appropriate and highly recommended battery-saving techniques. You can also check the level of battery fluid and refill if possible.

If you observe any signs that suggest you may have an electrical issue or if you face a battery issue, schedule an appointment with Vaughan Auto Service in Westmount, ON.

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