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It can be nothing short of frustrating when your car refuses to start. Many times, the reason it won’t start is because you need a new battery. Car batteries are critical to the way your car runs. Your car battery is what provides the electricity to run all of the amenities in your car including your windows, locks and lights, in addition to providing the initial boost to get your engine started. Needless to say, if your battery is dead (or dying) you aren’t going to be going anywhere fast. Making sure you have a fresh battery is the best way to ensure your car will start when you want it to.
If you think that you may need a new car battery, there are several things to look for:
• Buy Quality. While you may be tempted to purchase the cheapest car battery you can find from a local automotive repair shop, think again. Inexpensive car batteries may be a sad substitute for a quality brand which is just a bit more expensive. When your inexpensive car battery fails, leaving you stranded, you’ll wish you had spent just a bit more money, saving yourself time and hassle.
• Get it sized right. Your car’s battery fits in a small compartment somewhere on the vehicle. A quality auto shop can advise you as to the correct size for your car. If you purchase one that is too big, it won’t fit and one that is too small may damage your car. All of the specifications for what type of battery can be used in your car will be found in your owner’s manual.
• Batteries have expiration dates. Like other perishable items, car batteries have expiration dates and become less effective over time. Rad Air’s northeastern Ohio auto mechanics generally agree that batteries dated within six months of the current date are considered new. You can find battery information right on the individual battery. Look for a stamp that includes letters corresponding to each of the months and numbers that indicate the last digit in the year. (In other words, “A8” would be January of 2008.) If you are having difficulty figuring out how old your battery is, a local auto repair or car care center can give you assistance.
Don’t take a chance of being stranded somewhere with a dead battery. If you decide you need a new car battery, make sure it is a quality brand, is the correct size for your car or truck and, if it is older, that you take the time to replace it. Any of Rad Air’s Cleveland or Akron based locations, including Garfield Heights and Medina, would be happy to help you and inspect your battery, keeping you safe on the road.