Sometimes a jump start only buys you a day. If your battery is several years old and the car keeps struggling to start, the best fix is a new battery, installed wherever the car is sitting. Towing Kalamazoo brings the battery to you, swaps it out and takes the old one away, so you don't need a tow to a parts store and a wait at the service counter.
Is it time for a new battery?
Most car batteries last somewhere between three and five years. In Michigan, the combination of hot summers and frozen winters often puts them toward the shorter end of that range. Signs your battery is on its way out:
- You've needed more than one jump start in a few weeks
- The engine cranks slowly on cold mornings, then catches
- The battery case is swollen, cracked or leaking
- Heavy white or green corrosion keeps coming back on the terminals
- The date code on the battery shows it's more than four or five years old
What the replacement includes
Our technician tests the old battery first to make sure it really is the problem, because there's no point replacing a good battery if the alternator is at fault. If it does need replacing, they'll fit a new battery that suits your vehicle and clean the terminals and cable ends. They'll make sure everything is tight and protected, then confirm the charging system is working once the engine is running. The old battery is taken for proper recycling, since lead-acid batteries should never go in household trash.
Newer vehicles need a little extra care
Many late-model vehicles have start-stop systems, AGM batteries or electronics that need to be told a new battery was fitted. Tell us the year, make and model when you call, so we can confirm we have the right battery for your car before we head out. If your vehicle needs dealer-level programming after a battery change, we'll let you know up front.
When we're not the right fix
If testing shows the battery is fine but the car still won't start, the problem is elsewhere, perhaps the starter, the alternator or a wiring fault. In that case we'll give you a jump start if it helps, or tow the car to your mechanic.
Battery Replacement questions
Can you replace a battery in a parking lot or at work?
Yes. As long as we can safely reach the vehicle, we can replace the battery wherever it's parked.
Will I lose my radio presets?
Some vehicles reset radio stations, the clock or seat memory after a battery change. It only takes a minute to set them again.
Do you take the old battery?
Yes. We take the old battery with us and make sure it's recycled properly.