One could argue that your battery is the most important element of your vehicle. If your battery dies, nothing else matters. But here's the trick: batteries don't really give you any signs of wear or a nosedive in performance. One morning your vehicle starts like normal and the next morning it might just ... not. But don't worry: This is the FAQ about the Toyota battery Alberta drivers have been looking for!
Read below for some simple tips that will ensure your Toyota battery stays in the right condition.
The Toyota Battery Alberta Drivers Want: 5 Tips to Keep Your Battery Working as Long as Possible
[1] Protect Your Toyota Battery Against Cold Temperatures
Nothing ages a battery faster than extreme cold temperatures. Simply put, the cold is absolutely brutal on car batteries. Luckily, there are a couple of things you can do to protect yourself. One, is parking inside a structure (if at all possible). Garages, underground parking lots, etc. It won't keep your vehicle cold-free, but it helps quite a bit. Secondly, plug your vehicle in during times of extreme cold. Most experts agree you should plug in your vehicle if the temperature dips below -15 degrees Celsius.
[2] Take the Highway
This is a little-known fact: your Toyota recharges your battery while the engine is running, but this only kicks in at speeds over 60 KM/h. That means when you're driving in heavy traffic, your battery isn't charging while it's using your lights, wipers, A/C, and speakers. This isn't a huge battery killer or anything, but it's something to be aware of.
[3] The Toyota Battery Alberta Drivers Should Use is a Premium Battery
Outside of protecting your battery from the cold weather, the best thing you can do to ensure a long-lasting battery is invest in a premium Toyota battery. Toyota Premium Batteries are designed, engineered and rigorously tested to maximize performance based on your Toyota's voltage, physical size, and terminal configuration. In other words, it is perfectly compatible with your Toyota's electrical and charging systems.
In what ways is a Premium battery better suited for your Toyota? Great question. First of all, it has a specially formulated electrolyte, which uses demineralized water for significantly reduced water loss and gassing. In layman's terms, it greatly increases maintenance-free battery life. Second of all, Toyota Premium Batteries also feature reserve capacity. This stores energy that can be used the second your car starts, ensuring that you'll have the power needed to start your Toyota in even the most extreme conditions.
[4] Be Aware of Your Battery's Age
Most batteries only last about 4 to 5 years. After that point, reliability can become an issue. So, if you bought your vehicle new, do the math and figure out where your battery is in its lifespan. If you bought your vehicle used, just get it tested to see where it's at in its lifecycle. Keep that juice fresh!
[5] Get Your Battery Inspected by a Toyota Technician
During your next service appointment, ask your service advisor to have your battery inspected. This will make sure your battery is installed the right way with clean, secure connections. Our technicians can also check the cable and battery tray and look for any possible corrosion. Even better: if you have a Toyota Premium Battery installed, you will likely have warranty coverage.
Why Visit Drayton Valley Toyota for Your Battery Needs?
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How to Tell If Your Battery Is Failing
Other than straight up crashing your vehicle into something, there might not be a worse feeling in your vehicle than trying to start it ... and nothing happens. Especially since the situation can be avoided! As long as you pay attention to the signs your battery is giving you, you should be able to take care of the issue before it dies at an inconvenient time. Because it's always an inconvenient time.
Here are 5 signs of a failing Toyota battery.
[1] Slow Engine Crank
Your battery is solely responsible for the power it takes to start (i.e. crank) your engine. Once the car is started, the alternator keeps the car battery going by replacing the power used to start the engine and run your vehicle's electronic accessories. The first sign of battery failure is an engine starting more slowly than usual. You should take note of this immediately, because you might not get a second opportunity before it's dead. If the engine does not crank at all, you'll simply hear a fast clicking sound. This happens when there isn't enough power left to start the engine.
What to Do: If your engine is slow to crank, have your battery tested immediately.[2] Electrical Component Issues
In addition to starting your engine, the battery also needs enough power to run all the electrical components in your Toyota. These could include the radio, the wipers, the A/C, your power windows and moonroof, your headlights, etc. If any of these features appear to be functioning poorly, check to see if you have a dirty battery terminal. If the terminal is clean, have your battery tested because it might be time for a replacement.
What to Do: Take notice of how your Toyota performs when use two electrical components at the same time. If you turn your radio on while using your headlights, and your headlights flicker, have you battery tested.[3] Dashboard Warning Light
Old reliable. Or it should be. The problem with dashboard lights is that many drivers (most, possible?) avoid paying any attention to them. DO NOT DO THIS. If your battery warning light is showing up, there could be an issue with your batter OR your alternator OR another part of your electrical system.
What to Do: The Toyota battery Alberta drivers want is a working battery. If your warning light shows up, have the electrical system inspected by a Toyota technician.[4] Old Age
We mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating: the Toyota battery Edmonton drivers use only lasts 4 to 5 years on average. So, once you hit the 4-year mark it might not be a bad idea to get it tested to see how much juice it has left. If you're not sure how old your battery is (for instance, if you bought your vehicle used), then you should be able to find the manufacture date on the battery case.
What to Do: Have your battery tested once it hits the 4-year mark, even if you don't see signs of failure.[5] It Smells Weird
If your car has a rotten egg smell, that's a bad thing. This happens when a battery has been frozen, overcharged, or is shorted internally. It vents gas, hence the stink. If you notice a smell, pop your hood. If the smell intensifies for you, have it inspected as soon as you can.
What to Do: Have your battery inspected, because in addition to battery failure, the sulfuric acid can also eat away at other engine parts. Basically, it's a bad thing all around.Your Toyota Battery Warranty
How much do you know about the warranty for your Toyota battery? Well, we're here to help because there are a few things you should know.
What is NOT covered by your Toyota Battery Warranty:
Toyota Battery FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a Toyota Battery in Drayton Valley?
At Drayton Valley Toyota, a rough estimate for a battery replacement is around $200. That being said, it changes according to the vehicle you're driving.
However, if you have a Go Card, you'll save 10% on your bill! If you don't have a Go Card, it's completely free to sign up. Just contact us when you book your appointment and we'll set you up.
In Edmonton, how long should I expect my Toyota battery to last?
The average car, truck or SUV battery lasts around 4 to 5 years in Alberta, due to the extreme weather we experience. The key factors that affect the battery drivers use are:
If you most or all of these apply to your Toyota, you may only get 3 or 4 years from your car battery.
That being said, if you leave your lights on overnight you might wake up with a dead battery no matter how new it is.
What does a car battery do, exactly?
Your Toyota battery has three main jobs:
Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over to power your accessories and charge the battery.
I don't know much about cars. What do I NEED to know about maintaining or replacing a battery?
You don't need to be an expert, so feel free to relax. However, there are several things you should know to ensure the prolonged health of your Toyota:
Why Visit Drayton Valley Toyota for Your Battery Needs?
You'll save 10% with our Go Card program!
Don't have a Go Card? We'll sign you up for free.