It works closely with the alternator to start the engine and run lights and other accessories. The car battery is one of the most well-known components under the hood, but it doesn’t operate alone. Some cars still have traditional keys, but many have proximity keys. the free replacement warranty period continues on from the original battery purchase date. Any proximity key wakes things up. Sometimes, though, you get no signs at all, so it’s always a good idea to have your battery frequently tested, and it also may help to have a, If you have an aftermarket car alarm, then this is one of the first things to check when you have a. . ***Present this at the time of your appointment. Make sure the dead battery wasn’t caused by leaving lights on or other parasitic drains, and you should be good for a while. If your battery is older than 3 years, then it might not be a surprise when it’s time for a new one, but what if it’s not old? The larger and more powerful the system, the greater the potential for battery drain. More often than not, batteries die at the most inopportune times. For more information on car batteries, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. If the aftermarket alarm system is new, then it might be a more complex installation problem that needs double-checking by the installer. On approved credit. It won’t be an issue for every car, but particularly in hybrids, it might be your problem. Because that initial start-up request is really taxing, the alternator also recharges the battery as the car is running. LED Work Lights for Trucks: An Overview of Truck Lighting Options. Once upon a time, car keys were metal things you put into a slot and turned to unlock the doors. 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If you have an aftermarket car alarm, then this is one of the first things to check when you have a draining car battery. It’s a handy feature when your arms are full and your key is stuffed in your pocket, but one that can also cause battery issues. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia. receipt of the free replacement battery does However, if your alternator isn’t working properly, the battery can be under- or overcharged, which is a problem. A great way to tell if your battery has reached the end of its life is to take your vehicle to your local NAPA AutoCare for a battery load test. Blair Lampe is a New York-based professional mechanic, blogger, theater technician, and speechwriter. However, some signs point to bigger battery problems. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. One per household, minimum 8 panel new system. The other method is a trickle charge, which involves a charger hooked up to your battery as it sits in the garage for long periods. These let you walk up to the car to automatically unlock the doors. It can, but you have to know how and when to recharge it, as opposed to just scrapping it for a new one. To decide whether a recharge is appropriate, consider the overall condition of your battery: If it’s still new, not showing other troubling symptoms and you aren’t having to jump it every time you try to start it, a recharge is probably the answer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are three unusual reasons why your car battery might die. ... O'reilly and NAPA.  In her downtime she enjoys backpacking wherever her boots will carry her, rock climbing, experimental theatre, a crisp rosé , and showering love on her 2001 Sierra truck. She is active on social media with a large following on both Twitter and Instagram and currently serves as Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. Jump-starts are more for emergencies, whereas trickle charges are more for maintenance. Supplies are limited. Check out all of the batteries available on NAPA online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. Massimo 300W 12V Portable Lithium Battery Power Station Reliable Lithium-Ion Powered Battery Power up to 9 Devices at the Same Time Compatible with a 60-100W Solar Panel Advanced BMS Safeguards Your Battery and Devices From Over-charging Once you rule out obvious causes like an open trunk lid, glove box or car door, then you have to dig deeper. * see the napa battery specification guide or contact your napa store special note: the customer must have the original invoice with the serial number tag of his original battery affixed to the invoice. It could be as simple as a frayed wire touching a metal part and causing an intermittent connection. Your email address will not be published. A car stereo may also be the culprit when your battery dies. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. For more information on a draining car battery, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. Installed incorrectly, they can suck the power right out of your battery. AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and O’Reilly offer free in-store pickup and free shipping on online orders, but offer limited in-store services; meanwhile, NAPA has affiliated service centers that offer a Peace of Mind Nationwide Warranty. She can be found in The Boston Globe, CarGurus, BestRide, US News and World Report, and AAA along with lifestyle blogs like Be Car Chic, The Other PTA, and She Buys Cars. 3 Ways You’re Draining Car Battery That You Might Not Realize, Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? New customers only, some restrictions apply. For one, they will simply go bad over time, so if the battery is four or more years old, consider a swap (or risk a no-start situation at the worst possible moment). NAPA Auto Parts is an auto part supplier that has a well-balanced online and offline shopping experience. Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? Save up to $20 on NAPA Legend car batteries with a a free Visa gift card. © Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. Car alarms installed by the automaker don’t usually cause trouble, but aftermarket car alarms are a different story. This involves using jumper cables to connect your battery to another vehicle’s battery, giving it the power to start up and let the alternator do its magic. For a battery that hardly does more than power up some computers and allow the high voltage system to come on, this can seem like a lot. If you’re parked next to the entrance of a parking structure where everyone is walking by with proximity keys in their pockets and you happen to leave your car for an extended period, then your car battery can drain. They will tell you about the battery’s remaining capacity and if it’s worth it to recharge. Here Are the Warning Signs, Dead Car Battery? Charging a battery can happen in a couple different ways, but the most popular method, especially if you’re in a hurry, is a jump-start. **New customers only, some restrictions apply. How to Prep Your Car to Get The Most Money When You Sell, 3 Steps to Keep Cool and Avoid a Blown Head Gasket. These let you walk up to the car to automatically unlock the doors. Your email address will not be published. Also, look for bulging sides, residue buildup at the terminal connections, a sulfuric smell, slow or tough starts in the morning, dim or flickering lights, frequent jump-starts and not starting at all. Installed correctly, they draw a small amount of power and won’t drain your battery. Cannot be combined with any other offers. They don’t have as many brick-and-mortar stores across the country as some of their competitors, but their online shopping experience is one of the best to find the exact battery … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. More often than not, batteries die at the most inopportune times. It’s the aftermarket systems that produce the kind of sound people can hear three cars ahead of you in traffic that can be trouble. alternator, battery, car battery, charging system, jump start, lead-acid battery, recharge car battery, starting system. The car battery also acts as a voltage stabilizer for the whole electrical system. battery, battery lifespan, charging system, dead car battery, electrical system, maintenance, recharge car battery. Your email address will not be published. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn't been used in more than two weeks. In these situations, a recharge is a short-term solution, so you’ll need a new battery. Your email address will not be published. Charging a battery can happen in a couple different ways, but the most popular method, especially if you’re in a hurry, is a jump-start. All Rights Reserved. Sometimes, though, you get no signs at all, so it’s always a good idea to have your battery frequently tested, and it also may help to have a jump-starter on hand as an extra precaution. Journalist for a variety of outlets jump-starts are more for emergencies, whereas trickle charges more... A well-balanced online and offline shopping experience limit that frustration and get you back on your.. Expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store, whereas trickle charges are more for maintenance minimum 8 panel system! 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