Many motorists think only of the gas in their fuel tank as the essential ingredient to propel their car, truck or Sports Utility SUV Vehicle down the road or highway providing them with hopefully reliable transportation. Yet electricity is one of the three things essential and necessary to allow cars - your car - to "run". Actual electric energy from the storage battery under your automobile's "hood" turns an actual electric motor referred to in the auto mechanical and repair trades as the "starter". The starter (motor) in turn starts the engine, by turning it through the four "cycles" of gasoline engine. Yet the battery (properly called "storage battery") also provides for the electric spark and sparking necessary to ignite the gasoline / air mixture in the cylinders. Yet where does the electric power stored in your battery power reservoir come from and how can it be run down or depleted?
Your Autos Electrical System - Power is Stored in the Battery:
The electrical system on board your automobile gets power from that battery, which in turn is charged or recharged by the alternator (essentially a newer form of electrical generator) while the engine is turning over. If your starter motor sounds sluggish (RR rrrr and hardly turns over), your headlights brighten perceptibly when your power plant is raced, or in a worst case if your engine will not turn over when you flip your key and activate the starter motor itself you may well be in trouble. At the best your battery will need charging. At the worst your battery may have seen the end of its functional life - or in the case of a cold Canadian prairie winter may be frozen solid and also may need replacing.
Battery Replacement - First Have it Fully & Properly Tested Before Replacement:
What to do if your battery needs a replacement or is at the end of its service interval? First have a proper diagnosis and test - not just a say so of some unqualified backyard mechanic. Big box auto stores and your local auto garage can have their technician or auto mechanic give an accurate quick test in short order. If the battery does need replacement and not just a simple charge up there are several options and routes. If the unit is still on warranty scout out a dealer selling that brand for a pro-rated warranty. You will be charged a "pro-rated" share of the cost of a new battery, depending on how many months you have driven that battery since purchase date. Think of it as similar to cell phone you upgrade or replace on a full service contract before its time is up. Secondly if the battery is past its warranty coverage you can simply purchase a replacement. Battery replacement is per capacity and to some degree battery installation size area - that is where the battery actually fits. Cranking capacity is a determinant - not only what the minimum capacity the starter motor and car requires, but also worst case climate concerns. Electrical power generation ( to power starter motors and driving) is essentially a chemical process. A battery in a very cold winter time climate only holds tiny percentage of its charge and power than during the hot summer time. Hence think of worst case scenario rather than just getting by. Penny wise and pound foolish is not a wise route. You will spend more more on one cold winter start and perhaps a tow to your auto dealership than an initial cost saving on less expensive ( and cold winter cranking rated ) battery. However if its only summer driving or you intend to sell or trade in said vehicle before the winter season - a smaller less expensive unit may do just fine.
Car & Truck Battery Care & Routine Maintenance is Key:
Lastly maintain your battery. Have it inspected and battery terminals cleaned and inspected on regular auto maintenance driving schedule by fully qualified auto repair staff. This is your best and most economical choice both from a viewpoint of your auto maintenance budget as well as for safe and reliable transportation. Its as simple as that.
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