Car Battery
Keep Your Car Starting Reliably
A flat battery is frustrating. One minute your car’s fine, the next it won’t start. Sometimes it’s just age, sometimes it’s a problem with your charging system.
We test, diagnose and replace car batteries for all makes and models. We stock quality batteries and can usually sort you out the same day.
Our Battery Services Include
- Battery Testing – We test your battery’s condition and charging capacity to see if it’s healthy or needs replacing.
- Charging System Check – A battery that keeps going flat might not be the battery’s fault. We check your alternator and charging system to find the real problem.
- Battery Replacement – If your battery’s had it, we’ll fit a new one that’s right for your vehicle. We stock quality batteries with good warranties.
- Terminal Cleaning and Protection – Corroded terminals cause starting problems. We clean and protect them when we service or replace your battery.
- Battery Disposal – We’ll dispose of your old battery properly.
Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing
Car batteries typically last three to five years. Here are the signs yours might be on the way out:
- Your car is slow to start or cranks slowly, especially on cold mornings. Often the first sign of a weak battery.
- The battery warning light is on. Your dashboard is telling you there’s a problem with the battery or charging system.
- Your battery is more than three years old. Even if it’s still working, it’s worth getting tested to avoid being caught out.
- You can see corrosion around the battery terminals. White or blue-green crusty buildup around the terminals affects the connection.
- The battery case is swollen or cracked. Heat and overcharging can cause the battery case to bulge or crack, which means it needs replacing immediately.
- Your lights are dim or electrical accessories are sluggish. A failing battery struggles to power your car’s electrical systems properly.
- You’ve needed a jump start recently. If you’ve had to jump start your car, the battery is likely near the end of its life.
Why Choose AutoCare for Battery Services?
We’ve been fixing cars in Whangarei since 1996, and we know batteries. We’re authorised Century battery stockists with battery trained technicians who’ll help you choose the right one.
We have a digital battery tester that tests and prints out how much life is left in your battery. Takes the guesswork out of whether you need a new one.
If you need a new battery, we can usually fit it straight away. Most battery replacements take less than 30 minutes.
Battery Maintenance Tips
You can help extend your battery’s life with a bit of care:
- If you only do short trips, your battery doesn’t get enough time to fully recharge. Take your car for a longer drive occasionally to keep the battery topped up.
- Keep battery terminals clean. Check them every few months and clean off any corrosion with a wire brush.
- If you’re not using your car for a while, disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger to keep it from going flat.
- Get your battery tested before winter. Cold weather is hard on batteries, and a battery that’s marginal in summer often won’t cope with winter mornings.
Book a Battery Test or Replacement
Don’t wait until your car won’t start. Get your battery tested at AutoCare.
