Brake Service

Why Should I Check My Battery?

If you haven't taken the time to check on your battery in the past, then you might not be sure why you should start now. Generally, a car battery will last for a few years. As they age, though, they may eventually lose their ability to hold a charge. In the best-case scenario, this will leave you stranded at home as your car isn't going to have enough power for your starter to do its job. There's no guarantee that you'll be home when this happens, though. You could just as easily be left at work or in some random parking lot if your car suddenly stops working. If you live near Lancaster, Manheim, or Mount Joy, then you can bring your battery to us at Hondru Chevrolet of Manheim. Once you arrive, our technicians will be able to test it with a voltmeter.

What Causes a Battery to Degrade?

Most of the time, age is going to be the main thing getting in the way of your battery. Nothing lasts forever, so it's natural for your battery to show signs of age if it's been toiling away for years underneath the hood. Alternatively, you could be dealing with some sort of corrosion issue. This is most commonly found along the terminals of your battery, but our team can take care of it once you arrive. In some cases, your battery may even be fine. Your battery doesn't get recharged when your car isn't running, so if you leave something on, like your headlights, it's going to drain your battery until there's nothing left. If this is the case, then a simple jumpstart should solve your issues. It's still recommended that you check on the health of your battery, so that you can see where you stand.

How Do I Know If My Battery Is the Problem?

When you're having electrical issues, your battery is always going to be the most likely culprit. In some cases, though, your battery may check out as completely healthy. This means that you're likely having a problem with some other part of your electrical system, like your alternator or your starter. Your starter is responsible for turning your engine over, so if you have lights but no action, then it's probably your starter getting in the way. Alternatively, you might find that your vehicle is constantly dying over and over again. This could mean that you have a damaged alternator. This part charges your battery as you drive, but if it's damaged, your battery is just going to die repeatedly. Electrical issues can be frustrating, but our mechanics can find which part, wire, or system is causing your issues.

Is your battery constantly dying? You can check on your battery today by scheduling a service with our team at Hondru Chevrolet of Manheim.