Car Battery Replacements in San Jose, CA

If your car battery has been around longer than 3 years, it might be time for a replacement. Car batteries usually last between four and five years, but you might need to replace yours sooner if you do a lot of heavy driving or if it’s been in a cold environment. A new battery can help your car start up more efficiently in colder weather and keep its charge for longer trips.

At GIC Car Clinic, we can help you test your battery to see if it needs to be replaced. We’ll also clean up any corrosion on your battery terminals to help keep your car running smoothly. Contact us to schedule a battery replacement in San Jose, CA.

About Your Car Battery

Car batteries have lead and acid, which create a chemical reaction that produces electricity. The lead plates in the battery are covered with a thin layer of oxide, which helps to prevent them from rusting. The acid is diluted with water to help keep it from damaging the lead plates. Over time, the lead plates can become corroded or damaged, which reduces the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

For people who live in colder states, their car battery is more likely to die sooner than if they lived in a warmer area. That’s because cold weather makes it harder for the chemical reaction inside the battery to take place. If you go on a lot of short trips in your car, that can also shorten the life of your battery because it doesn’t have a chance to recharge fully.

If you’re unsure how old your car battery is or if it might need to be replaced, stop by GIC Car Clinic for a battery test. We can help you determine whether you need a new battery and, if so, install one for you. We also offer various other auto repair and maintenance services to keep your car running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

When to Replace Your Car Battery

If you’re unsure whether your battery needs to be replaced, there are a few ways to test it. We can use a voltmeter to test the voltage of your battery, or we can do a load test. A load test involves testing how much power your battery can deliver when starting the car. If either of these tests indicates that your battery is bad, we can install a new one for you.

Other symptoms that indicate your battery needs to be replaced include:

The engine cranks slowly when starting the car
The headlights are dimmer than usual
The car needs a jump start more often
You notice corrosion on the battery terminals
Your check engine light is on

With any of these symptoms, it’s time to bring your car in for a battery test. We can help determine if you’re due for a battery replacement in San Jose, CA. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!