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- Information on batteries
Currently there is no precise way to predict exactly when a battery will fail. However, periodic battery checks can help give warning of impending failure. The trusted battery specialists recommend you have your battery checked at least twice a year. And the best part is, The Batterywarehouse will check your battery for FREE. Find a Battery Centre near you.
It’s always a good idea to check your battery before going on a long trip. If you know the battery is old, you may want to consider replacing it as a precaution.
Cold weather is known to slow down the chemical reactions that generate electricity in batteries. As a result, older batteries will have more trouble starting vehicles in cold weather. The increased use of headlights, heaters, demisters, windscreen wipers can also increase the load on a battery, lowering the amount of charge available from the alternator to the battery.
Hot weather can trigger problems in old batteries as well, especially if the air conditioner is suddenly being used continuously and many short trips are made throughout the day. Modern vehicles with small grille areas often have high under-bonnet temperatures, which can also lead to battery problems. Higher operating temperatures can lead to reduced battery life.
You may need to consider replacing your battery if,
- Your starter motor is experiencing slow or interrupted turnover.
- Your instrument panel battery light indicates battery discharge for extended periods after the engine is running.
- Your battery seems to lose power quickly in cold or extended starts.
- Your headlights dim at idle.
Any of these warning signals may also indicate a problem with the electrical system in your vehicle and not necessarily a battery failure. A battery that is about to fail will often give little or no warning.
Always try to avoid using jumper cables unless absolutely necessary. If you have no other option, follow these steps, but always check your specific vehicle instructions before attempting to jump-start (refer to the manufacturer’s handbook).
- Set the handbrakes of both cars and place in ‘neutral’ or ‘park’. Turn off all switches. Ensure vehicles are not touching each other.
- Connect the red cable clamp to the positive post of the dead battery. (A)
- Connect the other end of the red cable clamp to the positive post of the live battery. (B)
- Connect the Black cable clamp to the negative post of the live battery (C)
- Make final connection on engine block of stalled car – as far away as possible from battery. (D)
- Attempt to start ‘dead vehicle’ with ‘live vehicle’ engine OFF. If vehicle has not started in 15 seconds, stop procedure and check ignition and fuel systems.
- To remove cables, reverse this exact procedure.
Currently there is no precise way to predict exactly when a battery will fail. However, periodic battery checks can help give warning of impending failure. The trusted battery specialists recommend you have your battery checked at least twice a year. And the best part is, The Batterywarehouse will check your battery for FREE. Find a Battery Centre near you.
It’s always a good idea to check your battery before going on a long trip. If you know the battery is old, you may want to consider replacing it as a precaution.
Cold weather is known to slow down the chemical reactions that generate electricity in batteries. As a result, older batteries will have more trouble starting vehicles in cold weather. The increased use of headlights, heaters, demisters, windscreen wipers can also increase the load on a battery, lowering the amount of charge available from the alternator to the battery.
Hot weather can trigger problems in old batteries as well, especially if the air conditioner is suddenly being used continuously and many short trips are made throughout the day. Modern vehicles with small grille areas often have high under-bonnet temperatures, which can also lead to battery problems. Higher operating temperatures can lead to reduced battery life.
You may need to consider replacing your battery if,
- Your starter motor is experiencing slow or interrupted turnover.
- Your instrument panel battery light indicates battery discharge for extended periods after the engine is running.
- Your battery seems to lose power quickly in cold or extended starts.
- Your headlights dim at idle.
Any of these warning signals may also indicate a problem with the electrical system in your vehicle and not necessarily a battery failure. A battery that is about to fail will often give little or no warning.
Always try to avoid using jumper cables unless absolutely necessary. If you have no other option, follow these steps, but always check your specific vehicle instructions before attempting to jump-start (refer to the manufacturer’s handbook).
- Set the handbrakes of both cars and place in ‘neutral’ or ‘park’. Turn off all switches. Ensure vehicles are not touching each other.
- Connect the red cable clamp to the positive post of the dead battery. (A)
- Connect the other end of the red cable clamp to the positive post of the live battery. (B)
- Connect the Black cable clamp to the negative post of the live battery (C)
- Make final connection on engine block of stalled car – as far away as possible from battery. (D)
- Attempt to start ‘dead vehicle’ with ‘live vehicle’ engine OFF. If vehicle has not started in 15 seconds, stop procedure and check ignition and fuel systems.
- To remove cables, reverse this exact procedure.
