Thursday, October 10

When should I change my car battery?


Cuándo debo cambiar la batería de mi auto
When the battery is close to reaching its useful life, it will be time to change it.

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio / Pixabay

When a car has trouble starting, it is natural for the driver’s experience to dictate that it is all about the battery . Most of the time this assumption is correct because the battery is necessary for starting the engine. However, drivers sometimes forget that this important part has a useful life, and when it is over, starting failures can be the main symptom. Therefore, when these situations arise, in addition to being aware of the time and the status of the car’s battery, it will also be necessary to know if it has been subjected to certain situations What:

1. Extreme temperatures: especially in cold climates. Although every battery has a long period of time to function properly, it can be diminished in this type of environment.

2. Short distances: cars that travel very short distances do not have time to fully charge the battery, which requires the engine to run for the generator or alternator to replenish its charge , a process that takes place in a considerable time. If the engine is running for a few minutes, the battery will be low and will run out of power very soon as soon as the engine is off.

3. Misuse: leaving the car off for a long time can cause the battery to discharge completely, even damaging it.

Foto de varias baterías de autos en fondo blanco
Although few people consider it, it is very important to know the characteristics of the battery corresponding to the car we drive. / Photo: Shutterstock

All these situations can shorten the life of a battery, which is estimated to last approximately four years . They can also affect your performance, causing you to not maintain the energy that has been generated while riding. Therefore, when a battery has been through this type of situation too many times and begins to fail constantly, it is best to take the car to an expert who can confirm that it is damaged and also check the generator or alternator, to rule out any problems with it.

It is also important to be aware of the age of the battery . If four years have already passed or that time is approaching, it is completely normal for any failure to occur. It is an irrefutable sign that it will be necessary to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible.

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