Battery Testing and new Batteries in Buford and Cumming, GA

Let’s talk about batteries. We have all been there, running late for work and frantically jumping in the car. Then we put the key into the ignition, turn the key, and there’s a stutter before nothing. The battery is dead. The dread that creeps up on you is suddenly very real, and that is how your day begins. 

Weak or dead batteries can ruin your entire day. We have all been there, and it is never a fun place to be. So, let’s talk about the ways your car tries to tell you that the car battery is slowly weakening before it’s too late. That way, hopefully, you can get your battery taken care of before it becomes a problem.

Auto Battery Replacement

• Engine cranks slower than normal

• Clicking sound when turning the key to start instead of the normal starter sound

• Headlights dim when using electrical devices like rear defroster or blower fan

• Visible liquid or corrosion build up around battery terminals

• Bulging battery case on the sides

• Date code on battery case shows 4 years old

• Battery test is showing low Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) rating below 70% of original

While it’s true that winter is a fairly common time for car batteries to die, some sources actually suggest that more batteries die in the summer than in the winter. The science behind lead acid battery technology actually shows how both hot and cold weather can be unkind of the life and operation of a car battery.

Anytime your car battery is operated outside the optimum temperature range, the fact is that there is a greater chance it will fail, whether it’s freezing cold or boiling hot outside. In the winter, one huge thing you can do in the winter is to keep your battery charged. According to Interstate Battery, a weak battery will start to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while a fully charged battery won’t freeze until about -76 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, it’s also a great idea to have your battery load tested, the electrolyte checked, and the connections checked for any signs of corrosion before the winter chill comes around.

You can help your battery last longer in the summer with a little preventative maintenance or catch a low battery before it leaves you stranded. You can trust the ASE certified technicians at Team Ryan Automotive to be at your service.

Car batteries are composed of a series of lead plates submerged in a 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water solution. The 12-volt battery houses a chemical reaction that releases electrons through conductors, producing electricity which is then channeled into your vehicle’s electrical system allowing you to start your car or operate electrical components like your stereo or lights.

The battery stores this electrical energy, the starter converts that energy into mechanical force to turn the engine for starting, and your cars alternator produces electric current to replace what the starter used during start-up and to support electrical loads when the engine is running.

The battery supplies electricity to all of the electrical system components, including the essential power required to start your vehicle. The starting system consumes more electrical power than anything else your car, which is why most battery failures are noticed when you come out to start your car. The starting system typically consists of three components working in tandem with each other: the ignition switch, the starter relay (or solenoid), and the starter motor.

Slow cranking engines, dim headlights and other electrical concerns can sometimes point to a problem with your vehicle’s starting and charging system. Because the battery is required for the electrical charge needed to start the rest of the electrical system, a weak or dead battery can also prevent your car from starting. If a jump start refuses to revive your battery and the starting system, our staff may need to take a closer look at the other components of the starting and charging system to determine whether or not you need a starter replacement or an alternator replacement. All components within your vehicle’s starting and charging system are necessary to ensure proper working order, and one bad link between them can render the entire electrical process useless. If you experience problems with starting your vehicle or maintaining its power even after trying a jump start, then allow our service staff to perform a starting and charging system check on your vehicle today.