Jeep Battery Services Culpeper VA

In short, a car battery translates chemical energy into electrical energy. That electrical energy is used to power the vehicle. All gas-powered vehicles use what those in the automotive industry refer to as an SLI battery, short for Starting, Lighting, and Ignition. Jeeps use a 12-volt battery with six individual cells to store the chemical energy. When the ignition button is pressed, or the key is turned in the ignition, the battery turns the chemical energy into electrical energy and sends it to the ignition coils. The ignition coils transfer the power to the spark plugs that ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine’s combustion chambers, cranking the engine. Once the engine is running, the battery shuts down, and the alternator provides power to the spark plugs and simultaneously sends power back to the battery. Turning the ignition onto accessory mode turns on all the accessories, including lights, air conditioning, and infotainment screens, and runs them using only battery power, which can drain your battery quickly. 

As was mentioned above, you can extend the life of your Jeep’s battery by avoiding using accessory mode. But there are also other ways to get the best life from it. First, it is essential that your battery isn’t susceptible to vibrations, as vibrations can damage the cells. To avoid this, it is important to ensure that the battery is installed correctly and fastened securely. If you do your own battery installation, when fastening the clamp, it is recommended to turn the bolt until you begin to feel some resistance and then give it another half-turn. The service team here at Chrysler of Culpeper will happily help you with battery installation. You can also extend your battery’s life. You should also limit the number of short trips that you take. This is because, while your Jeep is running, the alternator sends electricity back to the battery while the engine is running, oftentimes replacing the electricity used to turn the engine over. However, when you take a short trip, the alternator doesn’t have enough time to recharge the battery before it needs to start the engine up again. Over time, this will take a toll on your battery’s longevity. It is also important to ensure that the two terminals on either side of the battery’s surface are free from corrosion. You can clean the battery terminals with a water/baking soda mixture and an old toothbrush. Lastly, the most surefire way to know how your battery is performing is by testing its output. Battery output depends on the size of the engine but is typically between 12 and 15 volts. The technicians here at Chrysler of Culpeper would be happy to test your battery to ensure its condition. 

Well-maintained batteries last between four and five years before needing replacement. It is very rare for a car battery to die suddenly, even if it is a few years old. If a car light is left on and the battery is already old, this could cause it to die. In most cases, a battery will begin to show signs of its age that slowly get worse and, if left untreated, will lead to complete battery failure. Drivers of cars with low battery power often experience slower cranking times. This means that the time between when you turn the key or push the start button and when the engine begins running is longer than it normally is. This is caused by the battery not providing enough power to the spark plugs. However, cold weather conditions can cause slower cranking times, so if you experience it during a cold spell, you should have your battery tested at your earliest possible convenience. Another way your battery will tell you it’s aging is by illuminating the battery light on your driver information display. The most common cause for this light is that the alternator is malfunctioning, and the battery may die soon. When you see this light, our technicians will test both the battery and the alternator to see which is causing the light to come on. Finding the cause for this light may require additional diagnostics as well. If you notice your Jeep showing any of these signs, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle to the service center at Chrysler of Culpeper to have it inspected and replaced if necessary.

The battery is a small yet critical component to your Jeep’s overall operation. To help make sure your battery continues to function properly, bring your Jeep to the expert service team here at Chrysler of Culpeper to have it checked out by one of our certified technicians. You can schedule an appointment with our service center right here on our website. We look forward to serving you!