Battery Replacement and Battery Charging
When starting your car, the battery supplies the electrical power. The battery acts as a reserve capacitor that protects the electronics in your vehicle from any voltage spikes created by your alternator. However, even the most well-made car batteries won’t last forever. If your battery is not in good condition, your car might not start or you may break down while you are driving.
Since extreme heat and cold can cause batteries to fail, it’s a good idea to get your vehicle’s battery performance tested regularly. If you find that you’re in need of a replacement, the best place in the Nebraska area for car battery replacement services is T.O. Haas Tire & Auto.
Know When It’s Time for Car Battery Replacement
No matter where you live in Nebraska, there are few things more annoying than your car failing to start. Jump-starting your car may be a short-term solution, but there’s a good chance you’ll still need to replace your car battery sooner rather than later.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, and beyond, no driver wants to suddenly have to deal with a failed auto battery. With that in mind, here are some warning signs that could indicate that your car battery needs to be replaced:
Weather-Related Car Battery Issues
Nebraska residents are well aware that the local weather can get hot during the summertime, but the warm weather doesn’t just affect humans. Car batteries (especially ones that have been in use for a while) also don’t like extreme heat—it can evaporate their internal fluids and exacerbate internal corrosion.
But warm temperatures aren’t the only type of Nebraska weather that can affect the health of your battery. The state’s freezing winters can make it harder for batteries to create the chemical reactions they’re designed to perform, and that can also reduce your battery’s lifespan. Engine oil also has trouble flowing freely in cold climates, meaning your engine may need more power to get started.
Long Periods of Car Disuse
Do you think that driving your car every day drains your vehicle’s battery? Think again—the battery is charged while you drive. But this means not driving your car for extended time periods can result in a depleted battery. Are you planning to leave your car at home for a while? If so, ask a family member or friend to drive it around the block a few times while you’re away.
Trouble Getting Car Started
If you’re having trouble getting your car started and it has no other problems, the battery is most likely to be the culprit. It is not just a problem when your car won’t start—extra-long start times and flickering headlights can also be caused by a battery that’s about to fail.
Battery Warning Light Activation
Of course, some signs of battery trouble are easier to spot than others. Usually, vehicles have a dashboard light that comes on when your battery or starting system is experiencing issues. Under normal circumstances, your battery should last three years before you’ll need to replace it. However, the type of automobile you drive and your battery brand of choice will have an impact on its lifespan.
Pick the Best Team for Car Battery Replacement
T.O. Haas Tire & Auto is the Nebraska auto shop to beat, no matter what type of car battery service you’re looking for. Along with a full spectrum of battery replacement and installation tasks, we provide many other automotive services. Best of all, you won’t need to worry about the quality of service you’ll receive at any of our locations. All of the services we offer are handled by highly qualified ASE-certified mechanics.
Some of the communities served by T.O. Haas include:
- Lincoln
- Omaha
- Norfolk
- Beatrice
- Tecumseh
- Fairbury
- Aurora
- Central City
- St. Paul
- Lexington
- North Platte
- Ogallala
- Imperial
- Junction City, Kansas
- Hutchinson, Kansas
- Medicine Lodge, Kansas
- Keokuk, Iowa
What Can We Do for Your Battery Needs?
The batteries used in household appliances are convenient, small, and easy to replace—that is to say, they’re completely unlike the batteries used in your car. In fact, car batteries can weigh up to 60 pounds and can splash acid when handled improperly (which is why they should be handled by people wearing safety goggles and work gloves).
Instead of attempting to solve any car battery problems by yourself, let the crew at T.O. Haas take care of these jobs for you. Our team is ready to deal with:
System Diagnostics
Along with your battery replacement at T.O. Haas, you’ll get a full inspection of your charging system. The T.O. Haas mechanics will look at the various components of your car’s starting and charging systems. If anything needs attention right away, they’ll take care of these issues before replacing your battery.
Battery Sizing
Regardless of the type of Nebraska-area vehicle you drive, you’ll need a battery that’s right for your car’s needs. We’ll take a look at your current battery and your car’s electrical system to find the perfect battery size and type.
Battery Replacement
Finally, the employees of T.O. Haas will be ready to remove your battery and install an ideal replacement. As part of that, we’ll work hard to ensure your new battery is replaced correctly. If anything does go awry, we’ll fix it as quickly as possible.
Car Batteries: What Are the Three Basic Types?
While there are quite a few auto battery types available on the market, it’s crucial to make sure the type you use is actually compatible with your vehicle. These are the three main car battery types you should know about:
Side-Post Battery
Most drivers loyal to General Motors are familiar with side-post batteries, which are closely associated with this car brand. You can typically find these batteries in sizes 70, 74, 75, and 78.
Standard Top-Post Battery
Standard top-post batteries are quite common, and they’re used in many different U.S. and Japanese cars. They are usually available in sizes 24 to 65.
Recessed Top-Post Battery
These batteries are used in European car brands, such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen. They can be found in sizes 41, 42, 47, 48, and 49.
Get Great Deals on Car Battery Installation
Everybody knows it: auto care can be expensive, especially when necessary maintenance tasks seem to come out of nowhere. When you find yourself dealing with unexpected car expenses, keeping the rest of your budget on track can be a problem. To make matters worse, auto batteries can fail with little or no warning. As a result, replacement batteries can be particularly hard to plan for.
To help our clients deal with everyday life, the T.O. Haas team is proud to offer a range of money-saving options. Of course, you can pay less for the services you need with our online coupons. But the deals don’t stop there—we also boast a selection of overstock specials. Finally, painters, electricians, and other workers in the area can benefit from our tradesmen savings!
Let T.O. Haas Handle Your Battery Replacement
As soon as your battery starts struggling, you should have a plan in place for car battery replacement. The expert techs at T.O. Haas are more than up to this job—set up your appointment today!
Car Battery Replacement and Battery Charging FAQ
What are the signs of looming auto battery problems?
Don’t wait until the car won’t start. Here are some red flags that your battery is getting cranky:
- It’s taking your car longer to start. The engine cranks longer, and the ignition isn’t turning over as quickly as it has recently. This is an indication that the battery’s charge is weak.
- The interior lights aren’t as bright as they used to be.
- Some cars have a dashboard light (that looks like a battery) that will illuminate when the battery charge is low or has low battery fluid.
- Look out for damage like cracks or corrosion on the battery.
- You may notice a pungent smell like sulfur.
These are signs that it’s time for a battery inspection at T.O. Haas today! Schedule an appointment online here.
Why should I bring my car to T.O. Haas for car battery replacement or car battery installation?
Here are a few reasons why you can trust T.O. Haas for all your auto-repair needs:
- We can diagnose the problems: We use the latest technology and the highest level of experience to “talk” to your car. We can pinpoint the issue you’re dealing with and advise you about how to deal with it.
- Our mechanics are simply the best: Any auto-repair shop is only as good as its technicians. At T.O. Haas, we employ factory-trained mechanics with real-world experience. With their knowledge and expertise, you can be assured you’re getting the best auto-repair service in the region.
What is the relationship between the car battery and the alternator?
The battery starts your engine and runs the electrical components on the dash. The alternator, activated by the start of your battery, generates electricity to continuously power your battery. If both are working properly, they generate the perfect combination of power—a constant circuit of electricity that feeds itself for continuous performance.
Like all components in a vehicle, though, they wear out over time. A bad battery affects the alternator and vice versa. In most cases, a diagnosis of which one is bad at any point in time is tricky. If the alternator isn’t working properly, it leads to premature battery failure. If your battery can’t start your car, the alternator won’t kick in either. Get the car to T.O. Haas before it won’t start at all. We will diagnose the problem and advise you on the best course of action.
How long does it take to recharge a car battery after jump-starting the engine?
We have all needed a jump-start for a dead car battery at some point. But what about after you have gotten the car running again? How long does it take to recharge the battery before you attempt to drive again?
After you’ve done a jump-start, you’ll need to keep the vehicle’s engine running for around 30 minutes. This gives the alternator time to charge the battery sufficiently. Make sure you know why the battery died, too. If it’s time for a new battery, take care of that as soon as you can. If you’re not sure why it died, bring it to T.O. Haas to find out what the problem is. Our mechanics can diagnose the problem and let you know what needs to be done to keep you on the road.
Are there different kinds of car batteries?
How long will a car battery last without driving?
The short answer is about two weeks. But there is more you can do if you know the car won’t be driven for a while. You can prevent the battery from dying at all, and you will avoid reducing the life of the battery in the process.
Start the car up once a week no matter what. This will recharge the battery. Keep it running for about 15 minutes. This lets the alternator recharge the battery and keeps the engine in good working order, too.
Turn off the lights (if at all possible) while the car is in that 15-minute period. If you don’t, you may experience a “deep discharge” the next time you try to drive the car. Lead-acid batteries aren’t designed to handle this process, especially if it happens multiple times. The lifespan of the battery will be reduced by at least a third.
What is the average lifespan of a car battery?
The average is three to four years. But there are many things that affect battery life, so make sure you keep up with the routine preventative-maintenance appointment at T.O. Haas. We inspect the battery as part of the standard maintenance care so you aren’t stranded somewhere with a dead battery.
The things that shorten a battery’s life are your driving habits and where you live:
- Not driving a car at all or not driving it very much substantially shortens a battery’s lifespan. If you drive the car for your 15-minute commute back and forth to work, schedule a road trip occasionally to help prolong the battery.
- We all inadvertently leave an interior light on overnight, which drains the battery. Make it a point to check the car after you drive it—every time—for lights left on, the key left in the ignition, or a door left slightly open.
- The climate also plays a part in the life of your car’s battery. Driving in areas where it is hot all year long will wear a battery down faster than driving in colder climates. You can’t do much about the climate, but here are some things you can do to protect your battery from extended heat.
The climate here is hot! What can I do to protect my car’s battery?
Here are five ways to give your battery some TLC, especially in the heat:
- Park in the shade: This helps the battery, plus the interior of the car will be cooler when you have to get back into it.
- Drive more: Short trips with lots of stop-and-go are death to the life of a battery. The alternator needs more time to recharge the battery after starting the car.
- Cut down on the devices used: We ask a lot from our car battery, like using navigation systems, smartphones, onboard computers, and other electricity-loving devices. Take stock of what you have plugged in and turned on. Do you need every one of them right now? If not, unplug or turn off what you’re not actually using. Unplug everything you can when you park the car. Even while turned off, those devices are pulling electricity from the battery.
- Keep everything clean: Heat gets trapped around the battery if grease and dirt are present. Wipe the area down regularly.
- Invest in a car-battery charger: It will be worth the expense and aggravation if you know the car won’t be driven for a period of time. The charger will prevent the battery from dying while the car is parked.
You aren’t going to move simply to protect your car’s battery. But these five actions will help keep your battery running.
Don’t forget our money-saving coupons. Check them out here!