Q: Why won’t my car start?A: There are numerous reasons why a vehicle won’t start. If it’s related to the battery, the starter will generally not crank the engine. This is the telltale “click, click, click” when you turn the key or press the start button. This could be an alternator not charging the battery properly, a loose battery or starter cable, or a battery that needs to be replaced. Because batteries only crank for 3 seconds, in most cases, there may be no “slow crank” warning. That is why it is important to get your battery tested by a Chevrolet Certified Service professional at Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston.
Q: Do I need to charge my auto battery after I jump-start my vehicle?A: In most instances, normal driving will recharge the battery unless there is an issue with the vehicle. If your vehicle does not start after driving it, it’s recommended that you take your vehicle to the Certified Service experts at Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston to have a diagnosis performed.
Q: What are the main causes of auto battery failure?A: Batteries wear out over time, but there are also issues that impact battery failure, for example, unusual “parasitic drains” such as adding accessories but not properly grounding them, infrequent startup, and discharged batteries freezing at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: What kind of preventative maintenance can I perform for my auto battery?A: The best thing that you can do is have your Certified Service technician at Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston perform a conductance test on your battery when you get your oil changed. This helps to monitor the status of the battery and helps prevent you from being in a situation where your vehicle won’t start.
Q: How long should a car battery last?
A: On average, you can expect your battery to last about four to five years, but this can be as short as three years depending on your climate. Battery life can be shortened if the battery is run down frequently, chronically undercharged, or subjected to extreme vibration, like driving on rough roads.
Q: How can I tell if a battery is good or bad?
A: Using an electronic battery tester to check the condition of your battery will let you know if your battery is good or bad. If you don't have a battery tester, it may be quicker and cheaper to schedule an appointment with Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston to have it looked at.
Q: Are all car batteries rated at 12 volts?
A: Yes. Hybrid vehicles have a separate high voltage battery than may range from 48 volts up to 300 volts or higher depending on the application, but the average gasoline car battery is rated at 12 volts.
Q: How hard is it to replace a battery?
A: It used to be fairly simple to replace your battery. These days, most drivers prefer to preserve the learned memory settings in their vehicle's electronics, so they find it easier to check our Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston site for battery specials.
Q: Are car batteries dangerous?
A: They can be. Car batteries emit hydrogen gas when they are charging. Hydrogen gas is very explosive. Any nearby spark could cause the battery to explode. This is why you need to be cautious when jump starting your vehicle. If you have any questions, bring your vehicle into Schumacher Chevrolet of Livingston to have it looked at by our technicians.