How Often to Replace Car Battery?

Do you want to know how often you should wait to replace a car battery? Car manufacturers usually recommend replacing the battery every four or five years, to make sure that it is still running smoothly. Still, some things may cause your car battery to deteriorate faster, so it’s important to know how to tell if your car battery needs to be replaced. Keep reading, and you’ll learn the signs to look out for to make sure that your vehicle is remaining healthy and running fine for years to come. Find out more with the service experts at Lum's Buick GMC today. 

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

If, while you’re driving around Salem, you notice any of these warning signs, it could be time to replace the battery in your vehicle:

• The frequent need to jump-start your car
• Irregular power fluctuations
• Dim headlights
• It is taking longer to start your vehicle when you turn the key or push the button

What Makes Car Batteries Deteriorate?

Many factors can make a car battery deteriorate faster and lose its ability to remain charged on Newberg roads. For example:

• Road vibrations: Rough road, or going off-road around Hillsboro, can loosen your battery clamps or cause internal battery parts to wear out more quickly. 
• Time: Just as it is with many things, time, regular usage, and typical wear and tear can cause your vehicle battery to wear out.
• Extreme Weather: Severe weather can be harsh on your auto battery. During hot weather, liquids in your car battery might evaporate faster; and during cold weather, your car battery can lose its charge altogether. 
• Frequent Jump Starts: Frequently jump-starting your Toyota car battery will lessen its lifespan, so remember always to turn your headlights off when they’re not needed to conserve battery power.

If you aren’t sure of your vehicle’s battery’s expected lifespan or need a quote for a new car battery, contact our service center team at Lum's Buick GMC. 

How to Test a Car Battery

Do you know how to test a car battery to see if it needs to be replaced? It requires a specialized tool that you can order from our parts center. Alternatively, when you bring your car to Lum's Buick GMC for maintenance, our service center can test your car battery for you. If you want it tested during the time between your regular maintenance appointments, simply schedule an appointment online or over the phone.

Trust Lum's Buick GMC as Your Go-To Service Center

Now that you are aware of how often to replace a car battery, and how to tell if you need a new car battery, then you can trust our team today to make sure its getting the car that it needs. We’re here to make sure that drivers everywhere are never getting left stranded with a dead battery.