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Globex
10-07-2013, 01:06 PM
Hey guys, hoping someone can help with some input or advice...

My car was in about a week ago for 28month/56k service and during the battery testing, it came back "replace". AFAIK, batteries shouldn't be replaced this soon, right? It was under warranty and could be replaced if I paid 75% of the cost. I asked them to retest just to be sure and this time, it just said to recharge. So they just ended up recharging and no replacement was done.

The car recently just passed 24,000km and mostly highway km's with a couple downtown trips a week. Haven't really had any problems starting the car except for one time 2 winters ago where it cranked for a bit longer than usual.

Is this just an anomaly or should I get it replaced ASAP? Thanks in advance!
Mr Wilson
10-07-2013, 01:49 PM
Running an upgraded system? or stock?
Globex
10-07-2013, 02:24 PM
Stock, nothing changed as far as I know :)
Genpu_Mz3
10-07-2013, 02:29 PM
take it to part source, they will do a load test (for free) and let you know if your battery needs replaced, or if its your alternator. they do it right in front of you, so you know they are not bullshitting. but after 2 years, unless you got a bum battery, it should not be needing replacement.
Globex
10-07-2013, 02:32 PM
take it to part source, they will do a load test (for free) and let you know if your battery needs replaced, or if its your alternator. they do it right in front of you, so you know they are not bullshitting. but after 2 years, unless you got a bum battery, it should not be needing replacement.

Oh, good call... thanks for the tip! I'll go to one this weekend. :)
SomeGuy
10-09-2013, 11:26 AM
Usually they last longer but batteries can just randomly wear out, it also depends how long the car has sat without running (say you left it alone for a month without running it) and if the battery has ever gone flat before.

If it's one with distilled water in it, check to make sure it's not dry inside.
Cab0oze
10-09-2013, 04:22 PM
To answer your question, batteries tend to last 5-7 years or so so yeah, that is too soon. Obviously some batteries can break/be defective but whenever in doubt get a free second opinion. (can tire does it too)

If you have roadside assistance I'd say don't worry about it until you start noticing other signs. Slow cranks in the winter is more or less meaningless. If you don't, have roadside assistance and your second opinion says replace get it done asap because getting stranded when you need to be somewhere sucks.
captobvious75
10-09-2013, 04:34 PM
Simple way to tell if battery is OK:

1. Does the car start right away?
Answer: yes

2. Does the motor turn over weakly?
Answer: no

Your battery is fine.
Globex
10-11-2013, 09:13 AM
Thanks for all the help, everybody!
MREUS_SPD3
10-11-2013, 10:26 AM
There are a couple ways to test you battery...
1) if you have a multimeter you can put the probes on the corresponding terminals, (black -, red +) and have some one crank, start engine... If the voltage drops below 9.6 V (<80%) it's advisable to change your battery. Anything above that is still acceptable, if older than 5 years its recommended that you change also.

2) you can purchase a battery load tester from crappy tire for ~10$ or so and just clamp it on the corresponding terminals. If the needle is green your good... If it reads weak...well you can figure that out.

I actually just purchased a new battery yesterday, as mine tested weak at 8 Vdc on crank, and its never hesitated to start in the past... It's just not a very reliable test to wait until your engine is struggling to turn over on start up... Just might be too late.
Globex
10-11-2013, 04:01 PM
2) you can purchase a battery load tester from crappy tire for ~10$ or so and just clamp it on the corresponding terminals. If the needle is green your good... If it reads weak...well you can figure that out.


Are you referring to this one for $49.99?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryMaintenanceTools/PRDOVR~0113003P/100A+Battery+Tester.jsp?locale=en
MREUS_SPD3
10-11-2013, 11:18 PM
Are you referring to this one for $49.99?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryMaintenanceTools/PRDOVR~0113003P/100A+Battery+Tester.jsp?locale=en

Wow totally not 10$ eh... My bad. But yes that's the one sorry.
Globex
10-11-2013, 11:39 PM
Wow totally not 10$ eh... My bad. But yes that's the one sorry.

No worries! Thanks for the tip though, I check it out if PartSource doesn't pan out.

Does anybody know whether PartSource can test it while the battery is still in the car? Or does it have to be taken out from the car?
MREUS_SPD3
10-11-2013, 11:49 PM
No worries! Thanks for the tip though, I check it out if PartSource doesn't pan out.

Does anybody know whether PartSource can test it while the battery is still in the car? Or does it have to be taken out from the car?

I'm pretty sure you need to bring it into the store...
Genpu_Mz3
10-12-2013, 02:07 AM
nope, they test it in the car
Globex
10-13-2013, 08:35 PM
So, just to update, I think I might just wait for a bit and see what happens....

PartSource says it's the battery is not bad, but not good. They mentioned I might have trouble having it start in the cold. Alternator was OK, just that Cold Cranking Amps are low...

Then I went to another dealership just to see what they thought and they measured 505 CCA when it's supposed to be 570. Just on the edge of "OK" for the battery.