Back to all

Battery Basics for St. Johns

August 5, 2022

drive

It's important for St. Johns drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold Florida weather. Most St. Johns area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short St. Johns trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. St. Johns drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy St. Johns service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a Florida road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.

Give us a call.

Tuffy St. Johns
2770 Racetrack Rd.
St. Johns , Florida 32259
904.230.3363

 

More articles from Tuffy St. Johns

Catalytic Converter Replacement

April 14, 2024

Many of us have become aware of how important it is to keep our planets air clean, and your vehicle has a key component that helps do just that: the catalytic converter. Its in the exhaust system, and its job is to superheat unburned, harmful byproducts in the exhaust, so they dont get spewed ou... More

The Vivacious Vernal Vehicle (Preparing Vehicle for Spring)

April 7, 2024

Most of us look forward to spring because the days are longer, the weather's warmer and we can finally get our vehicles into warm weather mode. Here are a few things that will breathe fresh energy into anyone's car, SUV, truck or van. First thing is a good cleaning, especially underneath. If you... More

Don't Do It Yourself (Perils of DIY Vehicle Repair)

March 31, 2024

Your vehicle is a complicated machine, and yes, it would be nice if you could take care of all of its problems yourself. There was a time when vehicles were simpler and it wasn't too hard for a weekend mechanic to replace brakes, adjust a carburetor or perform a tune-up. But vehicles are far mo... More