Community Chat

[mrshckynut]

if you live in part of the country that has a real winter it is suggested you buy a new battery every three years      that is what we do

mrshckynut 

[patbz]

Depending on your car a battery can last only a year or so. I never take it to dealer initially ( they charge a lot for diagnostics ( one time I was charged $90 for an incorrectly screwed on gas cap. In addition to previously listed places I go to Oreillys for free test and if you buy a battery or wipers they install for free.

[layla2450]

I use AAA . They come to your home and check your battery. If you need a new one, they will install a new one. They have batteries on their truck. I don't remember how much I paid.

[icezeus]

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@Nightowlz wrote:

Take it to Auto Zone so they can check the battery. If it's not the battery ask them if they think it's the alternator. If they don't know ask them if they know where you should get it checked out.

I have never heard of a battery only lasting 3 yrs. My car is 11 yrs old now. We have bought 1 battery. I think it was around $175.

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@Nightowlz 

You have been very lucky . My previous car which I serviced religiously, I pretty much had to change the battery out every 3 years. It made no sense to me, but I was told it depends on the weather in your area (Desert conditions for me)  and driving conditions. I went through three batteries during the life of that car. Which I purchased new and drove till I had over 200k miles on it. 

[spabar]

@Snowpuppy Auto Zone did diagnostics on my car a few months ago.

[Hopein24]

Have you noticed any sort of squealing noise coming from under the hood when the engine is running? If so, your serpentine belt may be bad, or loose. If it is, it will not let the alternator generate a charge to send to the battery. I would have that checked while you are at auto zone having the battery and alternator tested, all for free at auto zone! Good luck!

[deeva]

Do you have a AAA service center near you? That's where I would go.