Car Battery Replacement
Getting stuck on the side of the road is every driver’s nightmare. If you find yourself in need of speedy assistance, Bayview Towing is ready to respond at the drop of a hat – or the stall of an engine. Bayview Towing is fully insured and our exceptional uniformed staff are all WreckMaster trained. With 21 trucks available at any time, we provide a host of auto recovery services in Surrey and the surrounding areas – including battery boosts.
The battery in your car serves a very important function, and without it, your vehicle will not be able to start. That starting power is produced solely by the battery. Batteries normally have a maximum life expectancy of up to five years. Other parts and systems can affect its lifespan, including your alternator, your starter, the solenoid, the battery terminals (which need to be clean and free from corrosion), and its own cables (which need to be intact). The recommendation is to replace it before you have problems with it – here’s what to look for:
- It takes a lot of power to get your car started. One of the first signs of a problem with the battery is a slow cranking engine. The vehicle will often just make a rapid clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. A jump start from another vehicle or battery will usually be enough to get the vehicle going. Have the battery tested at once and replaced if needed.
- Your car battery also powers the accessories including power windows, power seats, radio, windshield wipers, dashboard lights, headlights and more. If any of your vehicle’s electronic components start to function erratically, for example, if you switch on the radio while using the headlights and the headlights go dim, it might be time for a battery replacement.
- Your dashboard warning light, usually in the shape of a battery, will light up if the battery is not being replenished properly or if there is an internal problem with the battery, a defective alternator, or some other part of the electrical system. The battery light will stay on until the battery eventually fails.
That’s the basics, but as Canadians with our increasingly hot summers and renowned cold winters, there are additional concerns with overheating and freezing:
- When a car battery is exposed to excessive amounts of heat or cold, the flat sides of the battery case may swell or bulge. Freezing and swelling from excess heat often result in an electrically “dead” battery that cannot be recovered and will require replacement.
- When a battery has been frozen, overcharged or is shorted internally its case may vent gas. This venting often smells like rotten eggs. Conventional acid lead automotive batteries are filled with a mixture of water and sulfuric acid – basically a chemical reaction contained in a box. As the battery wears, some of the acid and water may evaporate which will disturb the mixture. This may cause the battery to overheat or boil, which will produce an unpleasant smell and even smoking in more severe cases. If this happens, have your battery inspected as soon as possible because the sulfuric acid can cause corrosion on other engine parts.
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, see your mechanic before you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. But if you do get stuck – for towing, battery boosts, and other emergency car services in Surrey, Langley, White Rock, and Cloverdale – contact Bayview Towing’s toll free number at 1-877-538-2032 today for prompt assistance with our regional and cross-border towing services. We are proud to be a Tow and Recovery Plus vendor recognized by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
