Car Battery replacement & repair done differently

What does a battery do?

The battery, it's that big and heavy thing stuck under your bonnet that always seems to lose all of its juice right when you need it. Either when you want to be on your way to work or when you want to escape from that birthday party at your in-laws you'd wished you had never gone to.

Cumbersome it might be, but the battery is an important component of your car; without it, your car will not start nor will you be able to use any electrical equipment like the lights and radio.

How do you know there is something wrong with the battery?

• When the car cannot be started.
• When all the car's electrical equipment does not work.
• When the battery's terminals and connectors have corroded.
• When the parts of the battery are covered by a blueish or white powder.

When should you consider having your car's battery replaced?

As the battery is normally charged through the car's alternator while you drive your car, it is only on rare occasions that a battery goes flat. Sometimes it can be that the battery is drained and only needs a recharge, other times it might really be a case of a faulty battery.

Over time, it can be that a battery will leak acid, the acid will dry and turn into a white or bluish powder causing corrosion. If the battery's connectors or cables are affected, it can be that further problems might occur. As this process progresses it can, eventually, render the battery and cables obsolete and can prevent the car from starting.

Other times the battery has simply given all that it had to give. There are, of course, several other reasons why a battery replacement would be necessary. If a certain electrical component does not work it might not necessarily point to a failed battery. It can be that a fuse has blown or a switch has burnt through. If you are unsure whether your battery needs replacing then ClickMechanic is here to help. Our mechanics are able to establish precisely if the battery needs to be replaced.

What happens during a battery replacement?

• Mechanic will inspect the electrical system.
• Mechanic will load test the battery.
• If necessary the battery is replaced if it happens to be bad.
• Mechanic makes sure the battery's cables have not corroded or damaged before putting them back
• Mechanic tests the battery system to establish if the system now charges correctly.

What happens if I don’t replace a bad car battery?

Car batteries fail at the most inconvenient times and as a consequence, there is no way to move your car once the battery is gone.
In some cases of a faulty or bad battery, you technically could still be able to drive your car but will find it very difficult to start or even have to jump start it. Continued driving with a faulty battery can, as a result, cause serious damage to your car’s alternator.

The good news is that car battery fitting is straightforward and can be carried out anywhere provided you have space to move around under your car’s bonnet.

Can I replace the car battery by myself?

Even though it might be a case of making sure you properly disconnect the old battery, remove it safely, then replace it with a new battery and reconnect it, there’s still room for things to go wrong, potentially leaving you with an even bigger repair bill.
Don’t forget that car battery fitting involves coming into contact with electrical parts – and that brings risks of harm to yourself if you don’t get the job right.

How common is a car battery replacement?

Every battery will eventually lose its ability to provide the power for your car and all its electrical parts need to keep working. The problem is that the warning signs might give you very little notice that your car’s battery about to fail completely.

Battery problems are the most common cause of callouts to vehicle recovery services, accounting for 1 in 5 faults, according to one major motoring organisation.

What are common car battery brands on the market?

The top brands of car batteries by sales in the UK are Exide and Lucas. More recently, bike and car parts retailer Halfords has entered the market and supplies a range of its own-brand car batteries to fit any vehicle.

Another brand which you will often see is VARTA

Are there any differences between the batteries used in old/new vehicles, or between petrol, diesel or electric vehicles?

Essentially, petrol, diesel and electric cars all use broadly the same type of battery to supply the power which keeps their electrical systems including lights, infotainment, and warning systems operating.
There are minor differences between many batteries, and the type of car battery fitted might differ from car make, model or year of manufacture.

How to extend the lifetime of your car battery?

Because your battery powers many of the smaller, less often appreciated components and systems in your car – your heating and air conditioning for example – it can be easy to overlook some simple steps you can take to keep your car battery working effectively for as long as possible.

To minimise the impact on your car battery and its lifetime:

• Only operate your car’s heating and ventilation/air conditioning systems when they are needed, and switch them off once they aren’t
• Only use the lights which you need to keep yourself and other road users safe. Don’t make excessive use of high beam, or leave fog lights on when the weather is clear.
• Keeping your car radio on when you are not listening to or if you leave it on with the engine switched off will but contribute to a deteriorating car battery life
• Follow your manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule. Checks that your car battery is working as it should, are included in every full and major service and can help pinpoint when your battery is nearing the end of its life and you might need a new car battery fitted.
• Don’t use the USB ports now provided in most new cars for charging your phone or any other portable devices for too long. It is all too easy to forget that you have left them plugged in, and find that they have been unnecessarily draining power from your car battery.

If your car is only ever used for short trips, which don’t give the engine the time needed to keep your battery charged, it will not last as long as if it is regularly treated to a few extra long journeys, which will give it the chance to recharge itself.

How much does a Battery Replacement cost?

The cost of a battery replacement depends on the type of battery your car's manufacturer recommends for your car. Find out what you could save by having your battery replaced by Clickmechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!