There's often a lot of talk about how to replace your dead car battery to get your car up and running again. It is a good skill to have, and you can pull it off in just a few minutes. But how do you even know that it's fully dead? And should you really just throw it away once it's removed from your vehicle? These questions are important if you want to do the job right and be responsible regarding the environment.
SIGNS THAT YOUR BATTERY IS DEAD
The main signs that your car battery is dying are that your car doesn't start up as easily anymore (especially in cold weather) or that jump starting it is increasingly less effective. You may find the battery taking longer to charge with each jump, notice that it cranks slower or that it drains quickly when the radio, headlights or dome lights are on. Once your battery is dead, it will no longer respond to charging at all. While it might still charge a little bit, the charge won't be enough to turn the car on or even to power your headlamps. At this point, you know your battery has truly died, and it isn't coming back again. For more detail, read more about six common signs of a bad battery.
Advance Auto Parts stores offer free battery testing and installation*.
HOW TO TEST YOUR CAR BATTERY
Always test your battery before declaring it dead. Even if jump starting your car doesn't work, the battery may not be the culprit. There are other issues that could be to blame, including a failing alternator, bad cables, faulty components in the charging system or a buildup of corrosion at the battery terminals. To test your battery, disconnect the ignition and take all other necessary safety precautions. Then, you just have to use a basic multimeter and connect it to the battery terminals while using the 20V or 30V setting.
THE BENEFITS OF JUMP STARTING
If there are signs that your car battery is dying, but upon testing it you discover that it isn't dead yet, then jump starting may help you get some extra juice out of it. The jump starting process is easy and only requires a couple of special jumper cables and a little technical insight. In some cases, even if you thought your battery was completely dead, jump starting it might get it to work a little while longer so that you can make it home or to the nearest service. You don't even need to find another driver who's willing to give you a jump; portable jump boxes are available and can deliver a healthy jolt to a dead battery to get it going again.
WHEN TO REMOVE YOUR DEAD BATTERY
Is it alright to keep a dead car battery in your car until you find a replacement? In most cases, it won't be a good idea to leave it connected for a simple reason — the battery might start to leak corrosive material that builds up over time. This isn't a problem if your battery is still in good condition, but if you live in a very warm or cold climate, or you're going to store the vehicle outdoors, then it's usually best to remove your dead battery as soon as possible. In any case, take it to an Advance Auto Parts store near you where it can be disposed of properly.
CAN DEAD CAR BATTERIES BE REUSED?
The answer is a definitive no, but you should recycle your battery. Car batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the world — probably because 99% of a lead acid battery is recyclable. At Advance Auto Parts, you can get a special deal for bringing in your old automobile or light truck battery. So even if you can't reuse a dead car battery, it's still not as useless as you may have assumed.
Time to search for a new battery? Find out which battery is right for your vehicle.
*Car battery testing and installation available on most automotive vehicles, at most locations, unless prohibited by law.
