Is your battery trying to tell you something? The fact is that batteries don’t just suddenly die.

They slowly lose their storage capacity over time. The signs are there to help you avoid the inconvenience and potential dangers presented by a dead battery.
Even though today’s batteries are more reliable, more powerful and last longer than earlier generations, batteries don’t last forever. In fact, studies have shown that close to a third of the vehicles on the road have batteries that are in need of replacement.
How can you tell if your battery is among that number? It all begins with a test that can be performed by a trained technician at any service centre equipped with a conductance tester. Using this newer technology, a skilled technician can accurately determine your battery’s condition and its available power. That enables you to make an informed decision about when to replace your battery before it fails.

The causes of premature battery failure
You can place the same battery in identical vehicles and their respective longevity may differ dramatically. That’s because a battery’s lifespan is affected by extreme temperature and your pattern of vehicle use. Excessive heat can accelerate the corrosion of the battery’s internal plates and cause battery electrolyte to evaporate excessively, reducing its lifespan. Cold not only undermines a battery’s power generation, but extreme cold can even lead to battery plate cracking. Also contributing to premature battery failure is either long periods of vehicle inactivity, or short driving stints, which don’t give a battery the chance to recharge.

When to test your battery
Since heat and cold are leading causes of battery failure, the Canadian climate is particularly hard on batteries. That’s why it pays to have your battery tested regularly – twice a year – and more important after a battery is more than two years old. And if you notice your battery struggling to start, don’t ignore the signs – have a technician diagnose the problem before it becomes serious.

Battery selection at a glance
So your technician tells you that your battery is nearing the end of its productive life – how do you choose the right replacement battery? Batteries are categorized by something called group size. Their power is rated by cold cranking amperes (CCA) and cranking amperes (CA). The owner’s manual for your vehicle will contain the specifications for your particular application. Never choose a battery with less capacity than is specified.