Starting Battery Knowledge
‘Explore all of the essential insights, hints & tips, into getting the best out of your vehicle starting battery!’
Look & Listen
How do I know when my vehicle battery needs replacing?
Look & Listen
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Corrosion on battery terminals: Visual inspection of the battery terminals may reveal a buildup of white, powdery residue, which can hinder the flow of electricity and indicate potential battery problems.
Swelling or bloating: If the battery appears swollen or bloated, it could be a sign of internal damage or overheating.
Age of the battery: If you know the age of your battery and it's approaching the end of its typical lifespan (usually around 3-5 years), it's more likely to experience issues.
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Slow cranking: When you try to start your car, the engine cranks slowly or takes longer than usual to start.
Clicking noise: You may hear a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, indicating that there's not enough power to start the engine.
Charge & Test
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If you're still unsure whether your battery could be on the way out or not, the first step to correctly analysing your battery's health is to give it a full charge with a quality Battery Charger.
Don’t have a quality Battery Charger? That’s OK, we offer a Full Battery Charge Service here at Everything Battery Yeppoon! NoJneed to book it in, just bring your vehicle start down when it suits!
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To assess the health of car battery, we utilise two main testing methods:
We use a Battery Conductance & Electronic System Tester (Which measures the battery's Voltage & CCA Power Output).
We utilise a Carbon Pile Load Tester (Which applies a controlled load to the battery to evaluate its performance under stress, providing a comprehensive assessment of its health.)
Note: By fully charging your vehicle battery initially and then conducting the tests we've just listed above, you'll obtain an accurate assessment of your vehicle's starting battery health
What is the best vehicle starting battery?
High Output Starting Power
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here's a plethora of information floating around in cyberspace, with individuals investing considerable time delving into detailed explanations of CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps). But truth be told, it ultimately doesn't hold much weight, and here's why:
CCA's serve as the benchmark for quantifying your battery's cranking power.
Picture three starting batteries from different brands lined up side by side, all identical in size and intended to kickstart the same vehicle. Without fail, the battery boasting the highest CCA's typically signifies superior quality... end of story!
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In this case, a negative turns into a positive! Typically, lead acid vehicle starting batteries tend to be heavier. However, the upside of a heavier battery is often indicative of higher quality, thanks to its greater lead content.
Reliability
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Let’s face it, batteries are in a square box, have 2 terminal sticking out of the top & a sticker on the front (we can’t really see the difference in reliable quality between them all!)
That’s why it’s so important to buy a Vehicle Starting Battery from a long term established Brand that you know & trust! They’ve built their reputation through years of proven trials, testing & experience!
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Well established reliable Vehicle Starting Battery brands often invest in rigorous quality control measures to ensure their products meet high standards. This means you're less likely to encounter issues such as premature failure or subpar performance.
After Sales Support
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Unfortunately, many battery brands today primarily use warranty as a marketing gimmick to drive sales.
But the reality is, a longer warranty is of no value to you, if the likes of your daughter is stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery!
Our recommendation is quite clear:
'Don't base a vehicle starting battery purchase on warranty alone, reliability from a trusted battery brand is far more important!'
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Probably the most important part of a warranty, is getting support no matter where you are located in Australia at the time.
More focus towards a Nation Wide Warranty with a reputable Battery Brand, is far more important than a slightly extended battery warranty, with a battery bran you’ve never heard of with no national service!
Support Independent & Buy Reputably!
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It’s crazy to think that someone would put their families safety & security (i.e. being caught out in the middle of nowhere with a f!at battery), in the hand of a battery brand they’ve never heard of & from someone they don’t know or trust.
We cannot recommend this highly enough: No matter where you live… buy your vehicle starting battery from your local trusted family owned independent business.
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Local independent businesses typically employ knowledgeable professionals who are genuinely passionate about their products and services.
Regardless of your location across Australia, these experts can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their expertise, ensuring you find the perfect battery for your car.
Did you know?
How to make your vehicle starting battery last longer.
Extending Battery Life
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Nothing drains a battery faster than lack of use! Here are some examples of why this can occur:
Leaving a vehicle unused for long periods of time can lead to battery depletion (e.g. Such as, during holidays, whilst away at work, occasionally unatteded hobby farms etc…)
Engaging in numerous short car trips can also deplete the battery rapidly. Since the battery is frequently used to start the car and these trips are short & numerous, there isn't enough time for the vehicle to-recharge the power it has consumed. This is particularly common with Stop/Start vehicles, which turn off when the vehicle is stopped.
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If your car is going to sit unused for long periods, or if you have a Stop/Start vehicle that is frequently engaged in short trips (and thus not getting the opportunity to recharge the battery power it consumes through frequent starting), then your only option is to connect a charging device to it.
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There are 2 quite simple charging devices available:
Connect a ‘Quality’ mains power Automatic / Regulated Batttery Charger to your vehicle battery (Note: A ‘Quality’ automatic battery smart-charger can be connected for extended periods safely
Connect a regulated solar panel. (Note: Just like an automatic mains power battery charger, your solar panel must be regulated. This means you can leave it connected for long periods of time & it not over charge or do damage to your battery
Maintenance & Storage
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The optimal maintenance for a vehicle starting battery involves giving it a thorough charge periodically! We highly recommend that your mechanic includes this as part of your annual car service
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It's a wise practice to have your battery terminals cleaned periodically (every yearly car service should suffice). If you prefer to do this task yourself, a simple process involves using warm soapy water and ensuring thorough drying.
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For all batteries, including vehicle starting batteries, there are two key objectives we recommend for storage:
Avoid extreme temperatures. Batteries deteriorate more rapidly in extreme cold or hot conditions. Storing them in a more regulated temperature environment can significantly extend their lifespan.
Never store batteries directly on the ground. Placing them on a dry, stable, and non-conducting surface, is essential for prolonging the lifespan of your vehicle battery.
Note: If you're storing your vehicle battery on a shelf, it's important to periodically bring it down for charging, ideally once or twice every couple of months.
What do I do with my vehicle battery once it dies?
Recycling vehicle batteries, do’s & don’ts
‘When it comes to Lead-Acid vehicle batteries, they should never be put into your home garbage, and or, recycling bin. These batteries are actually considered hazardous waste, and responsible disposal is paramount!’
We offer a full Battery Recycling Service here at Everything Battery in Yeppoon. To find out more, click on the button below!
See Our Range of Starting Batteries
