Let's be honest, no one likes to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery and no one around in cold temperatures. When should you change your car battery? While it's a good idea to check this vital part of your vehicle regularly, the upcoming cold season makes it even more important.
Apart from the fact that it can be recharged with booster cables, how much do you know about the life of a car battery? How to maintain it? When should you replace it and which battery should you use?
Read on to find out all about vehicle batteries!
The life of a car battery
To change or not to change the battery, that is the question.
As a general rule, the lifespan of a car battery in Quebec is estimated at 5 years, although it is not uncommon for motorists to keep their battery much longer.
Electric car batteries have a much longer lifespan, averaging about 10 years or more.
Of course, there are several factors that can significantly affect battery life, starting with frequent stops and starts; you know, when you take your car to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the school daycare and the post office? These frequent starts shorten the life of the battery more than you might think.
What other factors affect battery life?
One factor is where the vehicle is parked; both the hot July sun and the bitter February cold can have an impact on the life of a car battery. It is therefore preferable - if possible - to park your vehicle in a garage or in an indoor parking lot, protected from the whims of Mother Nature.
We can't do anything about the weather, but you can prevent premature deterioration and avoid changing your car battery regularly.
Driving habits to avoid that shorten the life of your battery
Wondering how you can extend the life of a car battery? It's not rocket science!
First of all, if your vehicle is parked outside at all times, it would be wise to get an engine block heater; this way, you will put less strain on your battery when starting in cold weather and you will also be able to start more easily!
Many experts also agree that using synthetic motor oil - if possible - also plays a role in the longevity of the battery. How can this be done? By taking advantage of a faster drain when you start the engine in cold weather. This will reduce the strain on the battery system, using less amperage to run the engine. Talk to your mechanic the next time it's time to change your engine oil!
What if your vehicle has trouble starting?
It is recommended that you do not attempt to start your vehicle for more than 10 seconds, and that you allow at least 30 seconds to elapse before each attempt. This way, you will spare your battery and allow it to be "alive" longer!
Knowing when your car battery is ready to be replaced: the signs that don't lie
Not all of us can detect the slightest mechanical problem at the snap of our fingers... or almost. However, it's relatively easy to tell if your car battery is about to give up the ghost in the near future.
Here are a few warning signs that should give you a heads up.
The age of the battery
It seems obvious, but many don't think about it. As we mentioned earlier, the average life expectancy of a battery in our latitudes is about 5 years. And although it may still be in perfect condition after 8 years, you should know that it can fail overnight, without warning.
Remember to have it checked during your visits to your garage, which will quickly detect any weaknesses. Otherwise, plan for this expense in your budget for the unforeseen - unfortunately too numerous! - that life can bring!
The battery shows signs of swelling
If this is the case, don't go to Go to ask for $200 and go replace the battery! Indeed, a battery with swollen sides is often a sign that it has overloaded or overheated.
What are the risks?
An explosion of the battery, if it is not replaced as soon as possible! You should also have the charging system evaluated to make sure it's working properly... and not to burn out another battery!
Lighting is dim and power accessories are slow
Are your power windows taking longer to go up or down? The radio doesn't work well in accessory mode? Ambient lighting is dim or flickering? This could be a sign that it's time to change the car battery!
Vehicle has trouble starting
If your vehicle is having trouble starting - especially outside of the cold season - it may be a sign that the battery has had its day. A check of the electrical system, starting with the battery, will give you an idea of what's causing the problem.
Cannot start in cold weather
Probably the most classic sign! It's -35 and turning the key does not produce anything? If there are no vital signs from your battery, it most likely means that it has died or is about to die.
But if it starts one day, the next day it doesn't and the next day it does? How to check a car battery?
It could be a problem with the battery terminals or the cables. Whatever the case, check the voltage of the car battery as soon as possible! The good news? You can do it yourself by getting a digital multimeter.
Changing your battery yourself: the main steps
There's nothing rocket science about replacing your car battery yourself, but you need to know how to do it so you don't mess up!
First of all, have your battery tested using a battery tester to make sure that's where the problem is. Also take the opportunity to check and clean the battery cables. If they show signs of corrosion, be sure to replace them.
After that, you'll also need a few tools to perform the battery replacement:
- A set of wrenches or sockets;
- Battery terminal cleaning tools;
- Safety gloves;
- And, of course, a new battery that fits your vehicle.
What's next?
1- Lift the hood and locate the battery;
If most of the time it is easy to access, in some vehicles its location will make you do contortionist movements!
2- Once you have located the battery, locate the terminals and find the positive and the negative terminal.
How can you tell them apart? Apart from the fact that the positive terminal has a + symbol (and therefore the negative terminal has a - symbol), the positive terminal is often covered by a red cover.
What happens next?
3- Using the proper wrench, disconnect the negative terminal FIRST!
You could create a short circuit by starting with the positive terminal if you accidentally touch the bodywork!
Not only could you "get the juice", but you could also damage your vehicle's electronics! Once the negative terminal is disconnected, do the same for the positive terminal.
4- Finally, remove the screws or bolts, depending on the type of fasteners used, and remove the old battery.
Now, can I install the new battery?
Yes... and no.
5- Before installing the new battery, be sure to clean the terminals of the new battery to ensure that they are free of dust and debris so that the electricity can flow smoothly.
Afterwards, make sure the battery is properly secured to its holder, otherwise it could slip.
6- You will only have to connect the positive terminal first, then the negative terminal, in this order, to avoid any problem.
7- Finally, you can choose to apply grease to the clamps, to limit the risk of corrosion.
The best car batteries of the moment
The choice is vast in the world of car batteries; it is therefore difficult to say which is the best car battery for sale in Quebec since not all motorists have the same needs!
So how do you choose?
Depending on the region where you live and your driving style, there are different battery choices available to you. In fact, in our latitudes, it may be wise - even unavoidable - to get a battery adapted to extreme weather conditions (because from -35 to 35 degrees, there is still a 70 degree difference!)
But that doesn't mean you have to buy the first battery that meets these criteria! Indeed, even if it is not installed in your vehicle, a battery will degrade on the store shelves! You should also check its age, so that you don't pay full price for a battery that has already had 1 year of "wear and tear" for example!
Here's how to determine the age of the battery: a label, usually on the top of the cover, shows a code to identify the month and year of manufacture. For example, a battery with B2 would have been manufactured in February 2022.
And did you know that it is possible to get a reconditioned car battery? In this way, you will benefit from a great saving while doing something for the environment!
So what's up? Which battery should I choose for my car?
In addition to your garage or a specialist in car parts and accessories, your owner's manual will give you valuable information on the type of battery to choose.
Car battery maintenance
As with the rest of your vehicle, regular and rigorous battery maintenance will extend the useful life of your battery. And it only takes a few simple gestures to keep it healthy for as long as possible!
For example, by regularly cleaning the battery terminals and being on the lookout for corrosion - the green or white deposits around the terminals - and applying a layer of grease designed for this purpose, you will avoid early degradation of the battery.
Also, be careful not to use battery power unnecessarily, such as leaving the radio on for long periods without the engine running or forgetting to turn off your headlights. You will extend the life of your battery significantly.
And even if you don't use your vehicle, the battery is depleted due to self-discharge. That's why it's important to use your car regularly - about 15 minutes a day - so the battery can recharge.
Finally, you can ask your garage to inspect your battery and clean it during your visits to the service department. The cost of maintaining a car and, by extension, a battery, is always better than having to replace one or more parts because you were careless!
In summary
By taking good care of your car battery and being on the lookout for the slightest signs of failure, you will significantly minimize the potential breakdowns that could occur. Also, take advantage of the car maintenance services offered; this way, you will have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in good health!
Do you have questions about which batteries are right for your vehicle or how much they cost? Ask an expert or an auto parts dealer, who are the best people to tell you the truth!