Should you boost or replace the battery?

Almost every driver will have to deal with a dead battery at some point. But how do you know if you just need a simple jump start or a full replacement?

In this article, we’ll explain what causes a car battery to die and offer some valuable tips to help determine if your battery needs a boost or if it’s time for a replacement.

Common causes of a dead battery

Many things can cause your battery to die, including:

• loose or corroded battery connections
• extremely hot or cold temperatures
• taking too many short trips
• leaving the lights on for too long
• natural ageing

You can prevent some of these causes from taking effect. For example, by taking fewer quick trips, you can give the alternator enough time to charge the battery fully. Storing your vehicle in a garage or other shelter during extreme weather can also help.

Check out this article to learn about other ways you might be draining your battery without realizing it.

Boosting vs. booting your battery

You may notice the following signs if your car’s battery is dead or dying:

• The battery warning light is lit on the dashboard.
• The starter keeps making a loud thumping or ticking sound.
• The engine is slow to start.
• Headlights are dim or flickering.
• Charging ports have no power.

When you first notice these symptoms, inspect the battery visually. If the battery looks misshapen, you see cracks, or the battery acid is leaking, it’s not safe to boost. Don’t boost the battery if you notice an unpleasant, burning smell, either. In these cases, the battery needs to be removed and replaced.

Some corrosion is okay if the rest of the battery looks in good shape, but it’s a good idea to clear it away with a battery cleaner and a battery terminal brush.

If you’re unsure if your battery is safe to boost, leave it to a professional to assess.

What you need to boost your battery

If you’re going to attempt to boost your battery, you’ll need a few tools:

• booster cables or a booster pack
• a second vehicle (if using jumper cables)
• a voltmeter or multimeter
• protective gloves and glasses

Jump-starting your vehicle incorrectly can damage the battery, so be sure to read the instructions for each method carefully. The main ways to jump-start your battery are with jumper cables, booster packs, or push-starting (if you have a manual car).

Boosting with jumper cables

To boost your car with a second vehicle and jumper cables, follow these steps:

1. Park the two vehicles near each other (but not touching) with the ignitions off.
2. Connect the red (+) clip to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
3. Connect the other red (+) clip to the positive terminal of the donor battery.
4. Attach the black (-) clip to the negative terminal on the donor battery.
5. Put the other black (-) clip on a metal part of the dead car, like the frame.
6. Start the engine of the working car. After a couple of minutes, start the dead car.
7. Leave the cars connected for five minutes.
8. Remove the cables in the reverse order you connected them.

After jump-starting your vehicle, you need to determine how dead the battery is. You can do this with a voltmeter or a multimeter or have it checked at a professional garage.

If the battery reads less than 12 volts, it must be boosted again. If it still reads below 12 volts, you’ll need a replacement battery. Once the battery reaches 12 volts or higher, drive for 30 minutes so the alternator can finish charging it.

If you aren’t sure how to jump-start your car on your own, call a roadside assistance service like CAA.

For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, refer to this article for help on how to boost your battery.

Time for a replacement

Most car batteries will need to be replaced after three to five years. You’ll know your battery is reaching the end of its life if it requires frequent jump starts. Alternatively, if your battery won’t hold a charge of at least 12.6 volts after you boost it twice, it’s likely dead and should be replaced.

You can find a wide selection of car batteries on NAPACanada.com. To be matched with products guaranteed to fit, input your vehicle’s details in the top left corner of the website.

You can learn to replace your battery yourself or trust an experienced technician to do it for you. You can get this done at any NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.

To read more about batteries, follow the links below.

Battery – Auto Repairs and Diagnostics – NAPA AUTOPRO

THREE WAYS YOU MAY NOT REALIZE YOU’RE DRAINING YOUR CAR BATTERY – NAPA AUTOPRO