Battery Basics for Sterling Heights
February 14, 2021
It's important for Sterling Heights drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold Michigan weather. Most Sterling Heights area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.
However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Sterling Heights trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Sterling Heights drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.
As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.
If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable Sterling Tire & Auto service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a Michigan road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.
Give us a call.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto
Making Sense of the O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor Replacement)
December 8, 2024
As you know, todays vehicles rely on a lot of computers in them to keep them running clean and efficiently. Those computers depend on information delivered by several sensors throughout the engine and exhaust system. And one of the most important is the oxygen sensor. Known as the O2 sensor f... More
Braking Good (Brake Drum Replacement)
December 1, 2024
Maybe your vehicle feels like Breaking Bad. In other words, when you brake, things are bad. You may find it takes you a longer distance to stop, you feel a vibration, or its pulsating when you depress the brake pedal, or perhaps your vehicle pulls to one side. Those can be symptoms of failing b... More
Getting Off to a Running Start (Starter Replacement)
November 24, 2024
When you start your vehicles engine, theres another motor that makes that whole process possible. Its called the starter, and its a small electric motor that gets your vehicle running. As you can imagine, its quite a chore for a little electric motor to turn over the big engine that powers you... More