Towing Bakersfield CA

Battery Jumpstart Bakersfield CA

Okay, so we get a lot of calls for drivers stranded on the road because their battery died on them. So for the next topic, we at Bakersfield Towing Service want to tackle this sticky topic about car batteries.  Julie Sussman, et al (Dare To Repair Your Car) excerpt below starts as off right with a comprehensive introduction. We are sure you will find this helpful!

Battery

What It Is
A battery has three jobs: (1) start the engine; (2) stabilize the car's charging system; and (3) provide extra power for the lights and radio once the engine is off.
We toyed with the idea of going into detail about how it works and that's when we realized that's the perfect way to explain it.

How It Works
A battery in a toy provides the electrical current needed to make the toy operate, and if the battery is removed or dies, the toy ceases to work. A car's battery is somewhat similar in that its primary job is to provide an electrical current to start the engine. The difference is that once the engine has started, the battery's job is done and the alternator takes over. As the car runs, the alternator recharges the battery for the next time you start the engine and provides electrical power for the car.

Cause of Death
No one wants to believe that a car battery is mortal. For the majority of motorists, the death of a battery comes unexpectedly. But the truth is that a battery gives signs of its demise before it dies, such as difficulty in starting the engine, or the battery warning light stays on. Most drivers don't know what to look for or they don't want to see it.
Listed below are the most common reasons a battery will lose its charge.

Lights/Radio
If you leave the lights or radio on (with the engine off) for an hour and a half or more, chances are the battery will be DOA (dead on arrival), Batteries have about a 2- to 3-hour reserve capacity if the headlamps are left on (6 to 7 hours if the dome light is left on).
Most new cars have an annoying alarm that sounds if you al e exiting your car and the lights are left on (of course, it's more annoying to come back to a car that won't start). Some cars are so smart they’ll even turn the lights off for you after the engine has been turned off. And then there are cars that expect you to remember to do it… geez!

Weather
Freezing cold temperatures can play a role in the premature death d a battery because it takes more power to start an engine in temperatures below 32°F. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to purchase a battery that has high cold cranking amps and/or a battery charger.
While battery ads always depict someone trying to start a car on a freezing cold day with 2 feet of snow, what they don't show you is the other climate that wreaks havoc on a car battery – excessive heat. High heat under the hood is actually the number one reason for a battery to die because the battery loses water through evaporation.

Age
A battery only lasts 4 to 5 years, on average. Every battery has either a label or an imprint that states the month and the year the battery was manufactured. For example, if you see A04, then the battery was manufactured in January 2004; and if it's F05, then it was built in June 2005. So, whenever you're purchasing a new battery, or you're buying a used car, be sure to check its birthday!
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Voltage Regulator
An alternator produces electricity when the engine runs, and it recharges the battery with this electricity. But if the engine is running really hard, then the alternator generated a lot of electricity, which can overcharge a battery and damage it. That's where the voltage regulator comes in. The voltage regulator; typically located inside the alternator; works to control the amount of electrical current the battery receives from the alternator; as well as to prevent the other electrical components in the car from being overcharged. If the voltage regulator is faulty, then the battery can become overloaded and die."