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Warm weather is the time for major problems with your car battery. According to the Car Care Council, it is heat, not cold, that shortens battery life. Even though the average life of a car battery is three and a half years, excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, causing damage to the internal structure. Or, a malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, can allow too high a charging rate. That can mean a slow death, resulting in the need for a car battery replacement sooner rather than later.

Here are the most common causes of a car battery to fail:

  • Faulty Cable Connections - Cables from the battery posts deliver power to the car's starter. Electrical connections fail when the screws or bolts attaching these cables loosen, and your car probably won't start at all. Tightening these connection cables will alleviate this problem.
  • Corrosion Buildup - If the cables are tight, the next culprit is most likely corrosion. Corrosion is an acid by-product that accumulates around the posts. As corrosion builds up, the electrical connection consistently grows weaker and weaker until the car will not start. A simple cleaning of the posts will correct the problem.
  • Extended Inactivity - If your vehicle has sat idle for more than 2 weeks, the car battery's power slowly drains away because the alternator was not able to keep the battery charged up. Just remember to start an idle vehicle every week or so.

Avoid Car Battery Problems!

To get the most life out of a battery:

  • Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
  • If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
  • At some point in time, a car battery replacement is inevitable. Always replace it with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
  • Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Proper care and maintenance of a car battery will ensure its long life. Consider these simple tips keep you on track for a fun and safe summer.

Need a quality car battery replacement? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.

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Keep Your Summer Fun Alive with a Quality Car Battery! Does your vehicle need a car battery replacement to keep you on track for a fun and safe summer?

Warm weather is the time for major problems with your car battery. According to the Car Care Council, it is heat, not cold, that shortens battery life. Even though the average life of a car battery is three and a half years, excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, causing damage to the internal structure. Or, a malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, can allow too high a charging rate. That can mean a slow death, resulting in the need for a car battery replacement sooner rather than later.

Here are the most common causes of a car battery to fail:

  • Faulty Cable Connections - Cables from the battery posts deliver power to the car's starter. Electrical connections fail when the screws or bolts attaching these cables loosen, and your car probably won't start at all. Tightening these connection cables will alleviate this problem.
  • Corrosion Buildup - If the cables are tight, the next culprit is most likely corrosion. Corrosion is an acid by-product that accumulates around the posts. As corrosion builds up, the electrical connection consistently grows weaker and weaker until the car will not start. A simple cleaning of the posts will correct the problem.
  • Extended Inactivity - If your vehicle has sat idle for more than 2 weeks, the car battery's power slowly drains away because the alternator was not able to keep the battery charged up. Just remember to start an idle vehicle every week or so.

Avoid Car Battery Problems!

To get the most life out of a battery:

  • Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
  • If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
  • At some point in time, a car battery replacement is inevitable. Always replace it with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
  • Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Proper care and maintenance of a car battery will ensure its long life. Consider these simple tips keep you on track for a fun and safe summer.

Need a quality car battery replacement? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.

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Troy Minske
Rum River AutomotiveAuto Repair Shop in Princeton, MN

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101 4th Ave N, Princeton, MN 55371763-389-3811info@rumriverauto.com
Mon:8:00am - 5:30pm
Tue:8:00am - 5:30pm
Wed:8:00am - 5:30pm
Thu:8:00am - 5:30pm
Fri:8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed
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