What to Expect With a Battery Replacement
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: The older a car battery is, the more susceptible it is to extreme temperature changes.
Signs Your Car Battery Needs Replacement
It's important to recognize the signs of a failing battery to prevent inconvenient and often costly disruptions. Identifying these signs early can save you from being stranded.
Here are some indicators that your battery might need replacement:
- Difficulty Starting: If your engine cranks slowly or takes multiple attempts to start, your battery may be weakening.
- Dim Lighting & Electrical Issues: Dimming headlights and interior lights might suggest your battery isn’t fully powering your electrical systems.
- Check Engine Light: This can indicate a battery problem. It’s best to get it checked promptly.
- Corrosion: Visible corrosion around the battery terminals is a sign of leakage, affecting performance.
- Old Age: Car batteries typically last 3-5 years. If yours is older, consider having it tested or replaced.
In addition to these signs, strange or unusual odors, such as a rotten egg smell, may indicate an internal short or venting battery acid, which requires immediate attention. It's essential to address these issues promptly to avoid further damage to your vehicle's electrical systems.
Understanding Battery Maintenance & Its Impact
Regular battery maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns and ensures your vehicle's longevity. At Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA, our team performs detailed battery testing and inspections to ensure everything functions optimally. Maintaining your battery minimizes the risk of corrosion and maximizes your battery's lifespan, saving you time and money in the long run. Our courtesy inspections offer you a chance to understand the overall health of your vehicle, helping you avert potential issues before they escalate.
Battery maintenance involves more than just checking for charge; it includes ensuring the battery terminals are clean and securing the battery within its compartment to avoid wear from vibrations. Our technicians also check the voltage output and currents, ensuring the charging system supports your vehicle’s electrical needs. This attention to detail guarantees optimal performance and reliability, especially crucial for navigating Lafayette’s climate and road conditions.
Our Commitment to Transparency & Customer Education
We pride ourselves on our commitment to transparency and client education. Our team at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA takes the time to explain your vehicle’s needs in clear, understandable language. We avoid technical jargon and provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your vehicle. This customer-centric approach ensures you understand each service provided, reinforcing our role as a trustworthy partner in automotive care.
Beyond basic explanations, our approach includes workshops and informational sessions to educate our clients on routine vehicle maintenance. By empowering our customers with this knowledge, we help promote a safer, more informed driving community. This ongoing commitment to education builds trust and strengthens our long-term relationships within the Lafayette community.
Contact us at (337) 386-1770 or online to schedule your battery service in Lafayette, LA, or stop by for an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should a Car Battery Be Replaced?
Car batteries typically last between 3 to 5 years, but this can be influenced by driving habits and environmental conditions. Regular checks every six months can help monitor the condition of your battery, and our team can provide detailed assessments during your courtesy inspection at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA.
What Are the Common Causes of Battery Drain?
Several factors can lead to battery drain, including leaving headlights or interior lights on, a faulty charging system, or extreme temperatures. Our skilled technicians can diagnose and address such issues efficiently, ensuring your car battery remains in excellent condition.
Though often overlooked, accessories plugged into your vehicle’s power source, such as phone chargers and USB devices, can also contribute to battery drain if left connected while the vehicle is off. Ensuring all devices are disconnected can preserve battery life. Additionally, regular checks of your vehicle’s alternator and charging system are critical components in preventing unnecessary battery depletion.
Can a New Battery Improve My Vehicle’s Performance?
While a new battery will not directly boost engine performance, it ensures that your vehicle’s electrical systems function reliably, which can prevent malfunctions. A well-maintained battery contributes to your vehicle's overall reliability, facilitating smooth daily operations.
A strong battery can better support advanced vehicle features like start-stop systems and energy-hungry components such as heated seats and infotainment systems. Ensuring your battery is in prime condition can help these features operate efficiently, enhancing your driving experience and maximizing vehicle functionality.
What Should I Do If My Battery Dies Unexpectedly?
If your battery dies unexpectedly, do not panic. Contact us at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA for assistance. Our team can provide you with guidance over the phone or arrange towing services if necessary. We strive to minimize your inconvenience and get you back on the road.
In such situations, we recommend checking for loose connections or corrosion at the terminals, which may be resolved by tightening the connections or cleaning the terminals. However, if the battery shows no signs of life, visiting our service center at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA will allow our technicians to perform an immediate assessment and propose the best course of action for your situation.
How Can I Extend the Life of My Car Battery?
Extending your car battery’s lifespan involves regularly checking and maintaining it. Ensure all electrical components are turned off when the car isn’t in use, check the fluid levels, and keep the terminals clean. Our team at Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette LA offers comprehensive maintenance services to support your battery’s longevity.
We also advise regular inspections for signs of wear or damage to the battery housing. Keeping your battery securely fastened within its compartment reduces unnecessary movement and vibration, which can contribute to early wear. Following these guidelines can significantly extend your battery’s effective lifespan and enhance your vehicle’s reliability.
Don't let a failing battery disrupt your life! Schedule your battery service appointment today!
FAQs
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Q. "How long can a car sit before the battery dies?"The battery in your car can die within as little as two weeks when unused. While our cars are more technologically advanced than ever, this comes at a cost. Due to the various gadgets and computer technology manufacturers include in our vehicles, the newest models coming off the line are always on, continually monitoring the car’s systems around the clock.
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Q. "Does the temperature affect my vehicle's battery?"Hot and cold temperatures can ruin your battery, especially if it’s already weak. Most customers in warm, southern climates don’t realize that hot weather drains their batteries. On the other hand, cold temperatures slow down chemical reactions, which means that your car battery will become sluggish and appear to be far lower than it actually is. Most modern batteries are designed to deliver an abundance of power at what is considered a “cold crank” temperature, but older batteries or batteries which are further into their lifespan may even fail to start your car on a particularly frigid and frosty morning.
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Q. "Why do car batteries fail?"The answer to this popular question includes many different reasons, ranging from age, corrosion, alternator problems, extreme weather conditions, or the classic case of headlights being left on. We explain why these common problems affect your vehicle’s battery on our auto repair blog.
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Q. "Do you look at all makes and models?"Yes! Christian Brothers Automotive has been providing reliable car maintenance and repair for over 40 years. Over that time, our professionals and ASE-certified technicians have handled a vast range of makes and models, and they continue to navigate the forefront of the auto industry’s technologies. If you own a vehicle from a major American or foreign car maker, we are ready to service it.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "How do I jump start my car?"You will need a pair of jumper cables and either a portable jump starter or another vehicle's battery. Check out this guide for step-by-step directions to jump-start your car.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"From the moment I opened the front door, I was put at ease. Every one of the staff was extraordinarily gracious and kind! My service advisor, Ashley Abshire, is a true professional!! Even the rest of the staff went above and beyond to put me at ease. And t"
- Philip Rodrigue