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

Mileage Headed Downhill? (What Causes Bad Fuel Economy?)

December 7, 2025

Name someone you know who enjoys spending a lot of money on gasoline. Yeah, me neither. Thats because it costs quite a bit to keep fueling your vehicle. One way to save money on gas is to get good fuel economy, and most of todays vehicles are designed to maximize your mileage. But you might f... More

No Fuel-ing! (Fuel Filter Replacement)

November 30, 2025

Your vehicle has a few filters you might be somewhat familiar with. Theres the oil filter that removes impurities from your engines oil, and a couple of different kinds of air filters that prevent contaminants from getting into the engine and the cabin. But you may not know that your vehicle als... More

Losing Your Cool (AC Condenser Replacement)

November 23, 2025

Its always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser. The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into... More