Prevent Dead Car Battery Problems: Advice from a Mint Hill Toyota Dealer

Sep 8, 2012

There is no fool proof way to prevent a dead car battery entirely, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent the problems normally associated with a battery that dies. Getting stranded in a parking lot because you have a dead battery is a major inconvenience, so here are some tips from a Mint Hill Toyota Dealer for avoiding the situation:

Understand What Temperature Does to Car Batteries

Both extremely hot temperatures and extremely cold temperatures will cause a car battery to lose power faster than it would in less extreme temperatures. If you have an older car battery, you will want to take into consideration what the temperatures are like when you head out for the day.

How Do You Know When the Battery is Dead?

Unfortunately, car batteries don’t have indicator lights on the side to let you know when they are running out of power. Generally, people discover their battery has died when they go to start their car and it won’t start. The first time this happens, you may be able to recharge the battery enough to get where you’re going with either a jumper box or set of jumper cables connected to another vehicle.

Jumper Boxes and Cables

A jumper box allows you to charge a dead battery without the assistance of another vehicle. They’re great to keep in your car to avoid becoming stranded due to a car battery – and will work even if you are in a remote area without other cars around. Jumper cables will allow you to connect your battery to the battery in another vehicle and transfer some of the power from the good battery to the dead battery. If you have to jump your car to get it started, though, you will want to put in a new battery so it doesn’t happen again.