Starting your day with a dead car battery can put a damper on a good mood in no time. Of course, this happens when you need to be somewhere, and all you get is the clicking noise. While most folks assume that this is a sure sign that your battery needs to be replaced, this isn’t always the case.
Here at Reliable Automotive, we’re your local source for auto service and car battery knowledge. A dead battery doesn’t have to mean checking out new car battery prices. We’ve built this list of when you may be able to repair or recharge a car battery. To be thorough, we’ve also covered why you may want to restore a battery and when a car battery is completely kaput.
The Good News: When a Car Battery Can Be Repaired
Let’s start with the positive side of the battery. Just because your battery may be out of juice, this isn’t necessarily a death sentence for your battery or budget. There are multiple situations when an expert technician can restore a dead battery. Here are a few of those scenarios:
Other Mechanical Issues
A lot goes into charging a car battery, and the auto electrical system is complex. When your battery isn’t recharged while the engine is running, it could be a problem with the alternator or connections instead of the battery itself. In a fully operational system, your alternator will use the power of the running engine to charge the battery. If something goes wrong with the alternator or a connection comes loose, you may not have to shop for a new battery.
Extreme Temperatures
Your car battery works because of a chemical reaction in the battery case. Extreme temperatures can affect this reaction and prevent the battery from storing energy. If exposed for long periods, it could mean that your battery will warp and need replacing. However, in most cases, a spike or drop in temps will only cause a temporary issue. Jump-starting your car battery could be enough to get it going again.
Lights Left On
We’ve all done it at some point in our driving lives. Leaving your lights or another electrical accessory on while the engine is off can drain the battery. While the engine is running, the alternator helps to power these systems, but it’s all on the battery if the engine is off. The good news is this typically won’t destroy your battery, and it should be fine with a jump start.
Why Repair a Car Battery
Now that we know it’s possible, let’s talk about why you might want to repair a battery instead of replacing it. When a battery can be brought back from the dead, a Reliable Automotive battery guru can help. Here’s why you may want to consider this route:
More Economical
Everyone knows that car battery prices can be a budget-buster. Often, repairing a battery can save you money in the long run. If a dead battery can be restored, it could still last for years without any other issues. This can save you money while helping you get the most out of your investment. By repairing a car battery, you don’t have to break the bank on a new battery or worry about the high price of an unexpected battery replacement.
Better for the Environment
Car batteries are chunky, and when discarded, they can contaminate the environment. With the major push to avoid unnecessary waste, everyone can do something to help. Repairing a car battery can diminish the amount of waste in the world and help you do your part for the environment.
Supply and Demand
Another reason to recharge a dead car battery is the supply and demand state of the world. After the pandemic, the way the world receives and transports supplies has drastically changed. Shipping lines are slowing, products aren’t being produced as rapidly, and getting what you need costs way more than it used to. The same is true of car batteries. Unfortunately, we now live in a situation where you may have to wait for what you need. Restoring a car battery means you won’t have to worry about the shipping lines or supply chain. Reliable Automotive has everything you need to bring a dead battery up to par again.
The Not-So-Bad News: When To Replace a Battery
Even though there are a lot of times when a car battery can be repaired, there are times when you need to bite the bullet and replace the battery. But the good news is that Reliable Auto can get you the right battery you need, and we offer great prices for car batteries.
Warped Battery Case
Remember that extreme weather from before? If your battery is exposed for long periods, it can physically warp the battery case. Once a battery is deformed, it may no longer safely contain its chemicals. This can mean the battery won’t effectively hold a charge or could even be hazardous.
Drained Chemicals
If the battery’s chemicals are no longer contained, your car battery can’t hold energy. A battery only functions correctly when it has all the elements in the right place. If it has too little or no battery acid, the battery is past the point of no return.
Excessive Corrosion
Leaking battery acid and other engine fluids can cause the conductors to corrode. While some corrosion can be removed with minimal effort, excessive corrosion can damage the battery beyond repair.
Too Old
A car battery is only built to last two to five years. If your car battery is too old, it may not be possible to revive it once it dies.
More Good News: Reliable Automotive Is Here To Help
Whether you’ll need a new battery or your current one can be returned from the grave, the crew at Reliable Automotive can get you what you need. Our battery experts are highly skilled and use the latest technology to diagnose and repair car batteries. Contact us today if you have any questions.
