Battery Replacement Service Available at Russ Darrow Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of West Bend
Battery Replacement
One thing you can safely bet on is that your car's battery is going to wear out sooner or later. Depending on how old it is sooner may be in your near future. Although under ideal conditions, car batteries have been known to last as long as six years, the average lifespan is more like two to five years. If you're thinking an estimation of two to five years is rather imprecise, that's because too many factors come into play to be able to narrow the field further. But whether it's next year or next week, when your battery gives out, your car is not going anywhere so it's important for you to understand the factors that siphon off its electrical charge so you can help it last longer.
The Life of a Battery Is Determined by Two Factors
How long it will hold its charge and its capacity for being recharged. Once it can no longer be recharged, it must be replaced. How long a charge lasts depends on a number of factors, some of them environmental, others, driver-related.
How Long You Can Expect Your Battery to Last
This depends on the humidity levels and range of temperatures in your region. The lower the better on both counts. Contrary to common belief, cold temperatures are not your battery's most formidable foe, high ones are. Although you're more apt to need a battery boost in sub-freezing temps, it's the ones at the other end of the thermometer that will shorten its life. High temperatures shorten a battery's lifespan by evaporating its fluids and destroying the cells inside it. So if you live in a northern climate such as the one here in the West Bend, IN area, your battery will last longer than if you live in one of our country's Southwestern states.
How Your Battery Is Drained
It goes without saying that the better care you take of your battery, the longer it will hold its charge. And we're not just talking about maintenance, although that is important. It's how you use the battery that plays the biggest role. The more times you call on it to start the engine has a big impact on its charge. So it's wise to plan your day so you can park in a central location and consolidate your errands on foot, rather than haphazardly driving from one location to the next. Another cause of excess drain is leaving your accessories plugged in, and of course, leaving your lights on, even if modern headlights do shut off after a few minutes. If you remember to avoid these practices, you can expect your battery to last in the upper range of those five years cited at the start of the article.
Keep Your Battery Charged
Keeping your battery charged is the best thing you can do for it. The Russ Darrow Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center can help on three fronts. You can request that their certified technicians:
-Check its charge during any routine maintenance
-Check the alternator and other charging system components to make sure they are working
-Replace your battery when its time comes
Russ Darrow CDJR is located in West Bend, IN meaning it is within driving distance of Jackson, Kewaskum, Slinger, and Richfield, WI. It's easy to schedule your service appointment online.