Weak Battery?

Don’t let a weak battery run you down.

Sadly - vehicle battery life is limited and will diminish over time. In Texas you can expect a battery to last somewhere between 3 to 4 … maybe 5 years if you’re lucky. As time marches on, however, every battery simply wears out. Very cold temperatures 30’s and below, and very hot 90’s and above significantly impact your car battery’s performance and ability to start your car.

Here are 4 warning signs that you may be at risk for a battery related breakdown:

1) You hear grinding or a clicking sound when you turn the ignition.

2) Your vehicle cranks slowly when attempting to start.

3) Your headlights dim when idling but brighten when you rev your engine.

4) Your battery is more than three years old.

If you are concerned about your battery’s performance, we welcome you to visit any one of our 3 service locations (Chevy / VW or Xpress) for a FREE battery test. There is no charge for this test and we will provide you with a print-out showing your battery’s relative health. With this scan completed, you can drive away with confidence or with a new budget item. Either way, you will know your battery status and you can better prepare and plan. In the event that you do need a new battery, we proudly sell AC Delco and Interstate batteries – the batteries specifically designed for your GM and VW vehicle.

Please keep in mind that newer auto start/stop vehicles and their specialized batteries have computerized on-board battery management systems. When replacing a battery in these cars, the systems need to be coded to the new battery and most shops and parts stores can’t perform that programming. So, if you use one of these other outlets for a new battery and it causes error codes or warning light problems, make that second trip to us and we may be able to reset those for you.

As always we appreciate your business. Please contact us the next time we can provide professional, caring vehicle support for you or your family.

By Mike Hewlett