Battery

Your battery is a key component of your vehicle and powers all the various electronic systems in your car or van. The starter motor, lights and wipers, air conditioning and radio all draw power from the battery.
 
However, as with any battery, it will begin to show signs of wear and reduced efficiency over time. When this happens, you’ll need to get your car battery checked and possibly replaced.
 
Use our simple online form to book a car battery replacement or fitting at a Eurorepar Car Service centre near you.

 

 

What is a car battery?

 

Your car or van’s battery is like any other battery you’d find around your home – it’s a device that produces electrical power. Your vehicle’s battery produces the electrical power needed to start your engine and run the electrical systems in your car or van.

 

What does a car battery do?

 

Your vehicle’s battery has two jobs:

 

1.     Starting the engine: When you start your car or van, the battery sends power to the starting motor that brings the engine to life. At the same time, it also sends power to the spark plugs to ignite the vehicle’s fuel. If your battery doesn’t have enough charge, you won’t be able to start your engine.

 

2.     Running electrical systems: The battery also powers your vehicle’s electrical systems - like the lights, dashboard, stereo, air conditioning, sat nav and any electrical items that are plugged such as phone chargers.

 

How does my car’s battery get re-charged?

 

The battery in your vehicle is a rechargeable battery. As long as your car or van is in good working order, your vehicle’s battery is recharged by the alternator as your engine runs. This is why a flat battery can be recharged after a jump start by driving.

 

Where is my car’s battery located?

 

Your car or van’s battery will most often be found under the bonnet in the engine bay. Less often, car batteries are found in other locations, such as under the floor of the boot. The battery typically looks like a square plastic box with one red and one black terminal on the top of it.

 

What does it mean if a battery is flat or dead?

 

A flat vehicle battery is a battery that doesn’t have enough electrical power to start your car. However, a flat battery can be recharged once your vehicle’s engine is running (usually after jump starting your car or van). If your vehicle’s battery runs flat, it may have to be replaced.

 

A dead vehicle battery is a battery that’s degraded so much that it can no longer be recharged. This will need to be replaced.

 

Why do I need my car’s battery checked and replaced?

 

Although your vehicle’s battery recharges as your engine runs, like all rechargeable batteries, over time the battery will run down. As it ages, the battery will begin to hold less charge, will become less efficient and won’t recharge as quickly and as fully.

 

As the battery degrades, you may begin to experience problems starting your car or van, especially in hot or cold weather or after not driving your vehicle for some time. An old car battery can even cause damage to your vehicle if it starts to leak.

 

By having your vehicle’s battery checked at one of our Eurorepar Car Service centres, you can have a qualified expert assess its state. If your vehicle’s battery has degraded far enough, you’ll need to have it replaced. We can do that for you.

 

Why is my car’s battery warning light on?

 

If your vehicle’s battery warning light is showing on your dashboard, it could be that the battery is failing to charge or that it needs replacing. It’s also possible that the alternator or timing belt isn’t working correctly.

 

In either case, it’s important to have your battery checked by one of our technicians. If the battery fails completely, you won’t be able to start your car at all, even with a jump start.

 

What happens if I don’t replace my car’s battery?

 

If you don’t replace an ageing car battery, you can begin to have problems starting your car. If your vehicle battery degrades further, it can stop working entirely and an even a jump start won’t help.

 

If a vehicle battery ages, it can also begin to leak corrosive material that can damage the surrounding engine.

 

How to know if a car battery needs to be replaced?

 

You often can’t tell if your car’s battery has degraded and needs replacing until that cold winter’s morning when your car won’t start. This is why periodic car battery checks are a great idea.

 

If you experience problems starting your car or van, you should take your vehicle for a battery check. An engine that won’t start could be caused by other issues, like a fault with your alternator or timing belt, but one of our technicians can diagnose the problem.

 

Helpfully, some cars will monitor the performance of a battery themselves and will warn you if it is failing by turning on a battery warning light or with a dashboard message. You should book a car battery check if your vehicle’s battery hasn’t been looked at for more than six months, especially if it is four years old or older. If you notice any damage on or around the battery, take your car or van to a Eurorepar Car Service Centre right away.

 

How long does a car battery usually last?

 

How long a car battery lasts depends on a range of factors, like the model and condition of your vehicle, how often you drive it, how much distance you cover, how much you use your vehicle’s electrical systems and what weather conditions you live and drive in.

 

As a rough average, car batteries typically last around four to six years - although this will vary.

 

How often should I have my car’s battery checked?

 

Most manufactures recommend that you have your vehicle’s battery checked twice per year, especially before winter, as colder weather can take a toll on car batteries.

 

How much does a new car battery cost?

 

Car battery prices will vary by make and model, but they tend to cost between £60 and £175. Car battery fitting costs will vary. Contact us to find out more about our car battery fitting services.

 

How long to fit a car battery?

 

Car battery checks and car battery fittings are reasonably quick procedures. Contact us to find out more.

 

How can I find a garage for car battery fitting near me?

 

We’re experts in car battery checks, fittings and replacements. You can search on our website to find a Eurorepar Car Service Centre near you.

 

How can I book a car battery check?

 

It’s simple. You can book your car or van in online for a battery check, replacement or fitting at one of our local Eurorepar Car Service Centres.

 

Our expert staff will assess your car battery and we can replace it for you with a new one if necessary. We’ll handle all the details, like selecting the right battery for your model and registering it with the on-board computer system in your car or van.

 

Book a car battery replacement near me