Is It Time For a New Car Battery?

Is It Time For a New Car Battery?
By Nick Palermo
February 19, 2015

The signs that your car or truck needs a new battery can be subtle: your engine takes a few extra seconds to start; your lights dim slightly when you turn on the heat or air conditioning; you notice corrosion on the battery terminals. If your vehicle is showing these symptoms, it may be time for a new battery.

To learn more about car batteries, we spoke to Nick Kovalkevich, automotive battery expert and NAPA account executive for East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., a battery manufacturer and NAPA supplier. Kovalkevich discussed how to test, replace and maintain your vehicle’s battery.

Kovalkevich also explained that, although your vehicle’s battery may provide less energy in cold winter weather, heat is its main enemy. Heat speeds the chemical reaction that produces electricity inside a battery. As it does, it sheds the active material in the reaction and decreases the battery’s ability to store energy.

“Heat is the biggest killer of batteries,” Kovalkevich said. “In Arizona, you may get two years out of a battery. In Minnesota, the same battery may last five years.”

Still, battery problems may present themselves in winter, when cold conditions slow that same chemical reaction and limit the energy the battery can offer.

The best way to find out if your battery is on its way out is to have it tested. Your local NAPA AUTO PARTS can test your battery, and most will go out to your car so you don’t have to remove it. The test will help you determine if you need a new battery, or if you vehicle has another electrical problem, such as a bad alternator.

If you do need a new battery, you can replace it yourself, typically with just a few common tools. Kovalkevich provided a few tips to make the job safe and easy:

• Wear gloves and eye protection
• Never smoke or use an open flame around a car battery
• Keep the battery upright
• For late-model cars, use an OBDII memory saver while replacing the battery (avoid memory savers that use a 9-volt battery)
• Clean the battery clamps and terminals and use terminal protectant spray
• Batteries are 100% recyclable, so return your old battery to your local NAPA store for recycling

Buying a new car battery is simple. Manufacturers specify which battery your vehicle needs. Provide your year, make and model, and any NAPA AUTO PARTS store will recommend the right battery. If you prefer to leave battery replacement to a professional, your local NAPA AutoCare Center is ready to help.