Your vehicle’s battery is considered the heart of its electrical system. Your battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy to make your car run. The battery provides energy to start your car, and also helps stabilize voltage to keep your engine running. When your battery’s power is low or its cables or terminals are loose, your car probably won’t start. Your car generally gives very few discernable warning signs before it fails. Tires Plus Total Car Care offers an early detection test that helps determine if your battery is beginning to fail.

View our interactive diagram explaining your car’s electrical system.

While the battery supplies the power to start your vehicle, the starter is really what gets the engine going. The battery supplies a small amount of power to the starter motor. The starter then rotates the flywheel, which turns the crankshaft and begins the movement of the engine’s pistons. It’s difficult to determine when a starter will fail, but an electrical system check at Tires Plus can determine the warning signs. We do this by checking if the starter is drawing the proper amount of current. Excessive current draw will indicate a worn starter and a low current draw indicates corroded cables or connections. Too much or too little current exposes the problem, so it can be fixed.

When your engine is running, the alternator keeps the battery charged and the electrical system going. Your car can start with a faulty alternator, but it won’t be able to run for an extended period of time. If the alternator requires replacement, your vehicle’s electrical system will perform erratically, its battery will discharge, and eventually your engine will lose power. A complete electrical system check from Tires Plus will tell you whether the alternator is generating the proper amount of current and voltage, to let you know before your alternator fails.

Your vehicle may need a new battery, and we can get you the one that fits your vehicle and is easy on your wallet. We stock Interstate Batteries, a nationally recognized, high-quality battery brand. You can select from a 4, 5 and 6 year performance warranty battery that all provide reliable starting capabilities. When you buy a new battery from us, we’ll always replace it with one that meets the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Use our Battery Selector (near the top of this page) where you will see battery pricing and a complete list of the features and benefits of each Interstate line displayed. Plus, we offer special internet only pricing for batteries, so you’re sure to get a great price.

A battery will last 3 to 5 years, on average. But battery quality, driving habits and driving region have an impact on a battery’s life. For example, if you take many short trips (less than 20 minutes), your battery won’t have enough time to recharge fully, which can shorten the battery’s life. Also, exposure to extreme temperatures — both hot and cold — can also shorten its life span. This map gives an indication of how long batteries will last in different climates.

Try our Virtual Battery Tester (near the top, right of this page) to get an idea of how long your original equipment battery might last. If your battery is near the end of its estimated life for your region, Tires Plus offers a choice of Interstate Batteries to fit your vehicle.

There are certain preventative measures you can take to get the most out of your vehicle’s battery and electrical system life. Here are some tips:

• Avoid leaving on lights and accessories when the engine is not running — this will drain your battery
• Take less short trips to prevent inconsistent battery charge levels
• Make sure your vehicle’s battery terminals are kept clean and free of corrosion
• Always have a qualified professional maintain your electrical systems
• Have quality replacement parts installed when existing electrical system parts fail

Our Corrosion Protection Package, Battery Terminal cleaning service, and quality replacement parts like Interstate Batteries can all help you get the most out of your existing electrical system parts and provide you with quality replacement parts when original components fail.

Our technicians have analyzers that give your battery a free check-up every time you bring your vehicle in for maintenance, tires or other repairs. The Early Detection analyzers let you know if your battery is providing adequate power and at what temperature it could potentially fail. We’ll give you a printout with one of three possible results:

• A “Good” result gives you the confidence that your vehicle’s battery is functioning properly.
• A “Marginal” test result indicates that your battery is functioning properly, but its life expectancy is compromised. A close monitoring with follow-up battery health-checks is encouraged.
• A “Replace” test result indicates that the battery, even though it’s starting your engine, fails to meet the original equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you decide to purchase a battery after receiving a Marginal or Replace result, use our Battery Selector (near the top of this page) for more information on battery options. Here you can choose your battery, get a quote and set up an installation appointment, all in one place. Plus, we offer special internet only pricing for batteries, so you’re sure to get a great price. If you’re unsure if your vehicle needs a new battery, schedule a free battery test, electrical system maintenance, or diagnosis.