How Can Mach1 Services Help When You Have A Dead Battery
Mach1 Services provides a technologically advanced way to get roadside help fast. If you find yourself stranded with a dead battery, Mach1 Services will be there to help in an instant. By simply downloading the free Mach1 app, you can find the closest service provider to you by phone.
Mach1 will alert whichever worker is nearest to you, provide you with a run down of price of service dependent on region, and, through the use of an advanced GPS system, will allow the service member to find you quickly.
Mach1 does not require a membership, and the service can be paid for by credit card or debit card directly through the app. When you request help, the Mach1 app will immediately notify the closest service member to you. Plus, the app has a 24/7 phone service that will connect you directly with Mach1.
How To Replace A Dead Car Battery
While you could always have your battery replaced in an auto shop, replacing a dead car battery is something you can easily do at home. If you decide to go the DIY route, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind.
First, always check your owner’s manual for any safety precautions that might be listed.
Second, always wear gloves and eye protection as battery acid can be quite harmful to the skin.
Third, always disconnect your battery’s negative terminal before the positive.
Fourth, never touch a metal tool to the battery posts or terminals.
Finally, be cautious of sparking both from the battery and around the battery.
With these safety tips in mind, here’s how to replace a dead car battery:
How To Extend Your Car Batterys Life
Its worth repeating: Every battery will eventually die. That death may be permanent or, in some cases, temporary. In many respects, there isnt much you can do to prolong the inevitable. However, you can take a few precautions, like ensuring all the interior and exterior lights are off when you exit the vehicle. Newer vehicles may have exterior lights that turn off automatically, but manually controlled systems leave this task for you. Even an interior map light left on overnight can drain an older battery.
In colder climates, a battery blanket is a must-have accessory. Freezing temperatures sap a batterys power and can even damage it. Insulated battery blankets and heated electric blankets can prevent the cold from draining power.
Performing some battery maintenance as part of routine car maintenance can also forestall issues down the road. Ensuring the terminals are clean and corrosion-free is a good starting point. If the battery has fill ports, checking the fluid levels and topping them off with distilled water when needed helps prevent corrosion of the lead plates.
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How Much Is A Car Key Battery
Key Fob Battery Replacement First, key fobs use widely available batteries that usually cost less than $5.
How much is a key fob battery?
What happens if your car key fob battery runs out?
Some cars are so sophisticated that they can be unlocked just by carrying the key fob with you as you approach the car. Unfortunately, the fobs use batteries which eventually run out of power. If your key fob battery went completely dead, you wouldnt be able to start the car and could end up stranded somewhere.
What to do if your car key is not working?
If you have a vehicle that uses a push-to-start button ignition rather than a turn-key ignition, a key that is not necessarily dead but has a low battery may not be recognized by the vehicle from a distance. You may want to try holding the key right up to the button and attempting to start the car again.
Check Your Car Battery’s Age
Most cars have batteries that last between three and five years. You can check your battery to find out how old it is with the following steps:
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Open the hood and remove the battery cover if there is one. Look for a circular sticker with the month and year printed on it.
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The first number represents the month and the second is the last two digits of the year. So, 04/18 means April of 2018.
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You may also have a battery with a plastic strip or date code stamped into the top. The first letter represents the month. So, A is January, B is February, C is March, etc.
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The second number represents the year. So, 8 = 2018, 9 = 2019, 0 = 2020, etc. If your battery is more than three years old, you may need to replace it.
“Its a best practice to get your entire charging system tested by a professional who can inform you of any need to service or replace the battery, alternator, or other part of the vehicle,” said Richard Reina, Product Training Director at CARiD.com. “If your car does not start after a jump, your battery is likely completely dead and will need to be replaced. Your choices are to call for a towing service to bring your car to a repair shop or your residence, or roadside assistance, which may make their own attempt at jump-starting. Some roadside operators are equipped to replace your battery on the spot.”
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Conventional Batteries Vs Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries
AGM batteries use a bit of technology from the aerospace industry. They are more compact and lighter than conventional car batteries and are literally maintenance-free. Although they still use lead plates surrounded by an electrolyte solution, a glass-mat separator is between the lead plates. These fiberglass mats attract the electrolytes and store them in a dry state. As the need arises, the electrolytes transfer to the lead plates to create a charge.
Because of the glass-mat construction, AGM batteries discharge slower than conventional ones. In other words, they retain their charge longer. This makes them ideal for todays highly technological vehicles with many devices and electronics. AGM batteries also recharge more quickly than conventional batteries. Furthermore, because of the tighter packing of the battery elements, there is much less vibration than in conventional batteries. This design reduces wear and tear.
To sum up, the average AGM battery costs more, is more efficient, requires less maintenance, holds more charge longer, and will outlive a conventional battery by two to three years.
Can Battery Sulfation Be Reversed
Sulfation can be reversed in a flooded lead acid battery if it is detected early enough. You can do this by applying an overcharge to a fully charged battery using a regulated current of around 200mA for a period of roughly 24 hours. This allows the battery’s terminal voltage to rise between 2.50 and 2.66 volts per cell, which helps to dissolve sulfate crystals.
If your battery is discharged too low to attempt this, there are battery chargers available that are designed to recover severely discharged batteries. These devices work by sending pulses to the battery terminals in order to reverse sulfation. If you’re looking for a charger that can restore a sulfated battery, we suggest the , which comes with a Recovery mode for deeply discharged or sulfated batteries. Keep in mind that sulfation is particularly difficult to reverse in AGM and thin plate pure lead AGM batteries, since they don’t react well to low amp charging.
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What Causes A Dead Battery
Many things can lead to a dead battery, including the following:
- Loose or corroded battery connections
- Extremely hot or cold temperatures
- Taking too many short trips
- Leaving the lights on for too long
Many of these causes can be avoided, especially with proper maintenance. But a dead battery isnt always preventable. Thankfully, unless its severely damaged, its easy to get your battery up and running again.
Signs Your Car Battery Is Dead
No one wants to be stuck in a driveway or parking lot with a completely dead car battery that wont start again. A battery typically lasts between three and five years, depending on where you live, how often you drive the car, and your make and model. Many car owners may not realize how often they need replacing until major issues arise.
Can you get another year after jumping your battery? Were going to discuss how to tell if the car battery is dead as well as what to look for when trying to figure out if its completely gone.
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Flashing Check Engine Light
We all deal with it. It is easy to ignore the flashing of a check engine light, but doing so might prove detrimental to both yourself and your car. If you have any suspicion that your car battery might be functioning unusually, the check engine light could be the confirmation you need to check out the battery.
It might not seem like a problem to you if you do not physically witness a defective aspect of your car, but checking just in case never hurts.
In this case, driving around to recharge your battery may or may not be an effective method. If it is not, and your check engine light remains on, you should look into taking your car to a shop to get it checked out.
If you know the light is on because of the battery and you do not want to have to deal with going to a mechanic, you can always purchase and install a new battery, which should fix the problem.
Find A Mechanic To Diagnose Or Fit Your Battery
It goes without saying, but make sure not to leave any of your electrics running for an extended amount of time when the car isnt running, as this is the easiest thing you can do to avoid your car battery dying.
Remember, the easiest way to get you car moving again is to enlist the help of a professional.
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What Causes A Dead Car Battery
A dead car battery can come about because of a lot of different reasons, such as:
- An electrical component stayed on when the engine was off
- The car hasnt been used driven for a long time
- The vehicles alternator isnt charging the battery
- Corroded terminals reduce the charge the battery can receive
- Low temperatures during cold weather might have frozen the battery
- Very high temperatures in hot weathermight haveweakened the battery
Testing And Replacing A Dead Car Battery
- Maintaining Your Vehicle
There are few things more frustrating than sitting behind the wheel of your car, ready to go somewhere, only to find that your car’s battery is dead. But why is your car battery dead, and what can you do to fix it? Let’s take a closer look at what can cause your vehicle’s battery to malfunction, how to jump-start a dead car battery, how to test a car battery, and how to replace a dead car battery.
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Prius Charging Methods A Simple Guide
The Toyota Prius is powered by a parallel hybrid system.
In simple terms, it can run both on electric motor and a gasoline engine. When you want to drive your car, you will have to fill up the tank with gasoline as you would normally do whereas the battery pack can be charged in different ways.
The way it worked was different in older Prius models. However, in the newer Prius models, you donât have to entirely rely on regenerative braking to charge the battery. There are plug-in versions of Toyota Prius knowns as Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid or Prius PHV or Prius Prime.
The battery can go from zero to full charge in 5 hours and 30 minutes. You can choose to charge it by using the charging cable in a 110V power outlet which is applicable only for newly released plug-in hybrid Prius models.
If you live in a different country where 240V is the standard or available in public charging stations, the charging period is cut down in half to just 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Level 2 stations can provide 12 miles of coverage for an hour of charging but it works only if there are charging stations on your route.
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The Check Engine Light Turns On
The check engine light flashes or stays on constantly. Generally, this light identifies serious problems in your engine that will require costly maintenance. But you may get lucky and discover that its only your car battery that needs replacement.
The Check Engine light turning on could mean many things, from the alternator not charging properly to fuel mix issues.
Dont ignore it if this light turns on. Get a mechanic to troubleshoot it ASAP.
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Some Emergency Items To Keep In Car For Dead Battery
Some Emergency Items To Keep In Car For Dead Battery
Emergency or essential items are not the only things you should keep for dead batteries. Some emergency items keep your car from going through other battery issues anywhere and under any condition.
Here are the emergency items to keep in your car for dead battery:
- Jumper Cable: A jumper cable is an essential item to keep in the car for a dead battery. Jumper cables are also cheap you can have a jumper cable for under 20 bucks.
- Fire Extinguisher:Keep a fire extinguisher in your car. This is going to be needed if your car battery explodes for any reason.
- Simple Tool Kit:A simple tool kit is required for every vehicle owner to keep on their vehicle.
- Tow strap:A tow strap helps you to tow your car when your car battery dies and you find no to start your vehicle.
Visit Anywhere Interstate Is Soldand Get A Car Battery Test
A dead battery doesn’t have to be a surprise. Get a test at any Interstate All Battery Center® location or repair locations to plan first.
It’s a different corrosion than what you might see at the battery posts. Here’s the nitty-gritty: The liquid electrolyte inside the car battery is a corrosive acid surrounding lead sheets and a coating on those sheets. When you start the car, the acid merges with the leadfreeing up the electrons your starter needs. However, until you turn the key, the electrolyte is still a corrosive acid. And every so often, a molecule of that liquid nibbles away at the lead. Or at the coating. Or both.
The result is brittle grit that crumbles to the bottom of the battery.
Every ounce of that lead and its coating is where your car battery holds electricity. Less lead means less electric power it can store. That’s the car battery’s capacity. It’s still fully charged, and yes, it can still start your car. Extreme heat hides the weaknesses in your car battery. However, it is permanently losing years of its total lifespan.
Imagine your phone battery at 100 percent charge in your hand. Now imagine it physically shrinking. It is still fully chargedbut you’re not going to expect it to run as long as before. Then one day, it’s going to be too small to work.
Extreme heat speeds up your car battery’s natural aging.
Extreme heat is mean to your car battery.
It’s also fairly easy to avoid. Park your car in the shade.
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Use A Portable Car Battery Charger
Another option for starting a Prius with a dead battery is to use a portable car battery charger. This is a device that can be plugged into a wall outlet or cigarette lighter and used to charge the battery of the vehicle.
What is a Portable Car Battery Charger?A portable car battery charger is a device that can be plugged into a wall outlet or cigarette lighter and used to charge the battery of the vehicle. It is an easy and convenient way to charge a dead battery.
Steps to Use a Portable Car Battery Charger1. Locate the cigarette lighter or 12V power outlet in your Prius.2. Plug the car battery charger into the power outlet.3. Turn the charger on and set it to the correct voltage for your Prius battery.4. Let the charger run until the battery is fully charged.5. Disconnect the charger from the power outlet and remove it from the vehicle.
Safety PrecautionsWhen using a portable car battery charger, it is important to take certain safety precautions. First, make sure that the charger is rated for the correct voltage for your Prius battery. Second, never leave the charger unattended while it is charging. Finally, always disconnect the charger from the power outlet and remove it from the vehicle before attempting to start the engine.
How Long Can A Car Sit Before The Battery Dies Explained
Since the pandemic, many people are driving less. According to Metromile data, fewer miles were driven in 2020 and early 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. As more people ditch the commute and work from home, opt to take public transportation, or return to travel, cars are parked and staying put. While that may not seem like an issue, it could lead to a dead battery. Find out how long a vehicle can sit before the battery dies and best practices to keep your battery well maintained.
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How To Keep A Car Battery Charged When Not In Use
Keeping your car in the garage or out on the street for a long period of time isnt great for the car battery. Driving is kind of like a use-it-or-lose-it situation, and without using your battery, it can deteriorate. But if youre in a situation where you cant drive your vehicle for some time or cant get a friend to help out, what can you do? Heres how to keep a car battery charged when not in use.