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Testing, replacement, and recycling. Guaranteed by AAA.
Testing, replacement, and recycling. Guaranteed by AAA.
The battery and the alternator work together to charge your vehicle. The battery supplies the power to start the car and provides electrical energy to your car when the engine is off. (If you’re sitting in your car with the engine off but listening to your radio, you’re on battery power.) Once the car is started, the alternator takes over and charges the battery and runs the vehicle’s electrical system. (If you’re driving down the highway listening to the radio, you’re using the alternator.)
Generally, a faulty alternator won’t effectively charge the battery while driving, so if your battery is frequently losing its charge, the alternator might be to blame. Your interior lights may dim and brighten, or flicker. The best course of action is to have an experienced technician take a look.
Regular maintenance provides the longest life. Clean your battery connections periodically for proper all-weather starting. To clean them, disconnect the cables. Mix 1.5 tablespoons of baking power with 1 cup of water and pour onto the terminals. Wait until the mixture stops bubbling, then use a soft brush to scrub away any corrosion and residue. Rinse with fresh water. Note: disconnecting the terminals without a KAM (Keep Alive Memory) might cause any saved presets to be erased.
If your battery is healthy and fully charged, drive the vehicle for at least 30 minutes once per week. However, if your battery is not fully charged, running the car will not recover the battery and could actually shorten its life. If you accidentally drain your battery, you need to properly recharge it on a battery charger for several hours, perhaps even a full day. An Approved Auto Repair facility can recharge your battery safely.
If your car sits unused for long periods of time, consider using battery tenders (a specialized maintenance-style battery charger) or disconnecting the battery altogether.
Almost 99 percent of a car battery can be recycled. Different parts are used to make electronic equipment, construction materials, and even more vehicle batteries. AAA encourages members to recycle their old batteries. We’ll take your old battery and make sure it’s recycled in an environmentally friendly way. If you have an old battery you want to get rid of, drop it off at any of our Approved Auto Repair facilities.