Where Is My Vehicle’s Battery Located?
Even if you’re not using a vehicle during the winter, it’s important to keep on top of battery maintenance. A battery that’s stored for a long period of time will suffer from self-discharge, even in areas with moderate climates that don’t have the harsh winters of the Northern U.S. and the Midwest. But if the freezing temperatures do occur, the potential results are much worse, with possible issues including cracked casing and internal components.
Obviously, you need a healthy battery on hand all winter long, as a dead battery could result in you getting stranded somewhere along the road during a cold winter day. This means you should follow simple battery maintenance procedures if you know you’re not going to be driving a vehicle quite as regularly during the winter. After all, the battery is needed to start up your car, and to power the vehicle if the engine is not running.
Important battery information
Here’s one question you might have: where exactly is your battery located? There are some inconsistencies from vehicle to vehicle, so if you’re unsure how to find your battery, it’s a good idea to take a look at your owner’s manual or ask a mechanic at your auto repair shop in Everett, WA.
In most vehicles, the battery will be located in the front of the car in the engine bay underneath the hood. There are some vehicles, however, that have the battery in the trunk, including many BMWs and other German-engineered vehicles. In some cases, batteries can even be located under seats.
It’s wise to check under the hood first. If you don’t see the battery right away, it’s probably located somewhere else in your vehicle, as the battery cover should be hard to miss.
Most batteries have stamps placed on them that tell you when exactly the battery was made (both the year and the month) to give you an idea of when you’ll need to replace it. The majority of car batteries last anywhere from three to six years. Chances are you’ll need to replace the battery a couple times during the life of your vehicle as it nears the end of its useful life and starts to wear down.
If you’re wondering whether you have a dead or dying battery, you should first check for signs of leaking acid or corrosion on the terminals. This is a sign that the battery is beginning to fail and you’re going to need to swap it out. You can also use a multimeter to check the voltage of the battery, which should be at least 11.8 volts. In most cases, the battery will show signs of dying in the form of some electrical components randomly going on or off or the motor cranking slowly. Unfortunately, though, for some people, it will just not start one day.
If you have any questions about replacing batteries or diagnosing dead or dying batteries, we encourage you to contact Auto Truck Service Inc. today at our auto repair shop in Everett, WA, and we’ll be happy to assist.
Categorised in: Misc. Vehicle Information