Driving a car is not actually only about driving. It has everything to do with knowing how to properly maintain a car as well. Today, I learned just how important a car battery is and in understanding the signs that may possibly indicate the need for replacement before it dies out on me the next time around.

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Responsibilities of a Driver

Driving can be difficult but compared to car maintenance, it definitely comes out easier. Although there are car maintenance tasks that can only be performed by trained and experienced personnel, car owners will have to equip themselves with basic knowledge that will help in preventing major damage to a car when problems occur. Having the right information can also help car owners avoid the inconvenience of dealing with preventable car problems.

It is the responsibility of every driver to check the road fitness of the car they are driving. This is to prevent any possible  harm to self and others while on the road. Though a dead battery will not probably cause harm to anyone under ordinary circumstances, it can expose car occupants to complicated and dangerous situations when the problem occurs on the road and far from any visible help. It also causes much inconvenience and stress when the battery decides to die at the same time as your most important meeting or appointment.

Functions of a Car Battery

You may have the flashiest car in the world but without power, it is useless and reduced to a mere decorative item in the garage. Power is provided by the car battery. The battery and the car’s electrical system form the very life of any car. The electricity that the battery provides enables the car to start and run.

The car engine is able to run efficiently not only by providing energy but also in stabilizing the voltage that will keep it running that way. With the introduction of new gadgets attached to cars, the need for car batteries to perform is as important as ever. This is especially so since some of these gadgets tend to draw power even when the car engine is turned off.

Warning Signs of a Failing Car Battery

A car battery has an estimated useful life of 3-5 years. However, it is highly recommended that car owners exert more effort in having their car batteries checked starting after the second year. A quick battery check-up can be done by most auto care shops.

These are some of the telltale signs that battery replacement will be needed soon:

1. A slow engine crank is usually the most obvious sign.

2. System indicators lights that seem to go on and off can mean that the battery power is getting weak.

3. Any physical deformity or unusual smell emanating from the battery indicates the need for immediate replacement.

Helpful Reminders About Car Batteries

1. The actual life of a battery will depend on various factors including weather and road condition, electrical load of the car, vehicle type, battery specifications, and driving patterns.

2. A weak car battery can add unnecessary stress on other parts of the car which can lead to unexpected costly repairs.

3. The more advanced electrical gadgets a car has, the greater the need for a higher capacity battery.

My Say

When our car’s battery unceremoniously died on us yesterday, we were almost panicking because the children had to be brought to school on time. We had no choice but to commute. In the place where we stay, having a car is more practical because of the high cost of riding shuttle services and tricycles.  For a clearer comparison, our one week budget for gasoline is equivalent to only 3 days of commuting back and forth just from our home and the children’s school.

This incident made me realize the importance of two things: having car insurance and having access to car battery delivery service. Although we didn’t actually need the services of the insurance company in this specific instance, the availability of the Roadside Assistance service as provided by Standard Insurance Company assured us that we can avail of free towing services if and when our car needed to be brought to the nearest accredited repair shop.

Our main life saver turned out to be Motolite Express Delivery contacted through Hotline 370-6686. As it turned out, the only problem with our car is its battery. We ordered through phone and the battery was delivered and installed very quickly. We also got a discount of PHP 600 for trading in our two old batteries. We were told that in case the car problem turn out to be not connected to the battery at all, then we would be required to pay PHP 350 for their effort. Thus, it is quite important to determine if there is reasonable probability that the problem is battery-related.