Battery installed near the V8 motor in SUV

Car Battery Died? Here’s What To Do Next

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There are few things more frustrating than getting stranded on the side of the road because your car battery died. It can also be a bit frightening depending on where you are and what time of day it is. If this happens to you, we’ve got you covered.

Car battery issues and getting stranded somewhere can cause anxiety. It is good to know that help is available whenever you need it, day or night. Keep reading to find out what you should do if this happens to you.

What to Do If Your Car Battery Died

If you get stranded and your car won’t start, you can get a battery delivered right to you. You no longer have to get stuck, with no way of getting home or to a safe location. With the use of your cell phone, you can have a new battery installed in no time.

Use jumper cables or call a friend who has some. Make sure you know how to jump-start your car. Sometimes there may not be another car nearby and some car battery issues are so bad that you must get a new one.

You could use an emergency car battery but that does not always work. Some people have their cars towed to a mechanic but you would have to pay towing fees and could leave your car all day.

Call a company that will come to you with a jumpstart service. They can get you back on the road soon.

Other Steps to Take

Try to stay with or close to your vehicle. Some people see a car on the side of the road as a target to look through and see if they can find something worth taking.

Make sure your car is not in the way of traffic. If so, put the car in neutral and move it to a safe location.

If you get your battery jump-started, you may want to go get a new battery installed. Your car will have enough life to get you there but your car battery dying is a sign you need a new one.

Phone a friend or family member to make sure someone knows where you are. This is especially important if you are in a location that does not seem secure or is not very populated.

If you are by the road at night, make sure your flashers are on to let drivers know to be cautious when passing by. Remain inside your vehicle and out of the way of oncoming traffic.

Be Prepared

No one wants to have car trouble, especially at inconvenient times. Unfortunately, life happens. Being prepared for the worst-case scenario will help you know what to do.

Have your cell phone charged so you can make calls when needed. Keep a good pair of jumper cables in the trunk.

If your car battery died, there are steps to take that will get you back on the road soon. Luckily, car battery issues are common and easy to replace. If you get stranded and your car won’t start, contact us for emergency road service.

Battery installed near the V8 motor in SUV

How Long Does a Car Battery Last on Average?

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Did you know the ignition key was invented in 1949? Prior to that, drivers had to turn the engine by hand to go for a drive.

Yet, for the past 70 years, the process that gets your car going has stayed the same. And it all starts with the essential car battery.

But how long does a car battery last? How do you know when you need a new one? Read more to find out. 

How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

Many people ask themselves how long does a car battery last. You want to know your car battery lifespan so you can avoid a dead battery which is more than inconvenient.

The average car battery life is from three to five years. You should replace your battery every five years according to manufacturers’ recommendations. 

There are various factors that contribute to your car battery life. For example, the local temperature of where you live, the amount of time you have your car running on battery, your driving time, and the condition of your drive belt and alternator.

Keep in mind that even if you parked your car in storage for most of the year, you’d still need to replace the battery at some point.

When your battery reaches three years old, it’s smart to begin having the battery tested.  You can have the battery tested when you go for your oil change.

If you change your own oil, consider purchasing a battery tester. This test lets you know how your battery is doing. Then, you can have a good idea of when you will need to replace it.

No one likes unexpected car repairs. With a battery test, you can budget for a car battery replacement.

Now let’s look at the factors that impact your car battery life.

Temperature

You go out to your car on a cold morning and it won’t start. You have a dead battery and need a jump start.

Most people know that cold temperatures sometimes mean a dead battery. But did you know that heat is also responsible for this?

The heat of past summers weakens a car battery. Often, that’s why a battery fails when it is below freezing. During cold temperatures, the starter needs more electrical current to turn over the cold engine.

Heat damages your battery by causing liquids inside the car battery to evaporate. This happens regardless of whether you are parked or driving during the heatwave. Heat also weakens internal car components.

Driving Conditions

If you regularly drive on back roads and dirt trails, it is possible that your battery cable connections will become loose.

Sometimes, this is the cause of battery issues. Tighten your battery cable connections and the battery hold-down clamp to fix this issue.

Also, if you leave the lights on or use the radio while the engine isn’t running, that weakens your battery too.

Change Your Car’s Battery

Thanks for reading! Now you know the answer to the question, how long does a car battery last?

At Dugger Battery Service, we do battery service and installations. If you need assistance, contact us today.

Car Battery Service – New Mexico

Car Battery Service – Arizona

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Cooler temperatures mean car battery trouble

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Car Battery Trouble

Fall is here and while in places like Arizona and New Mexico, that may just mean relief from summer heat, it can also mean car battery trouble. Summer heat does a lot of damage to your battery. All it takes is a cold snap or a heat wave and you are left stranded on the side of the road. When you get that unexpected moment when your car or truck won’t start, don’t panic. Call Dugger’s Emergency Road Service. Our trained technicians will come to you. If you are stuck at home or on the side of the road or in a parking lot, it doesn’t matter. Our dispatchers will help you evaluate the trouble and get you back on the road in no time.

Car won’t start? More often than not, you have car battery trouble. We’ll bring you a new battery and install it on the spot. No need to go to a shop or to get upsold on services you don’t need. Call Dugger’s and we’ll send a battery tech to your rescue. No matter where you are in town or on the highway, Dugger’s is ready for your road rescue. We don’t wear capes, but we will come to your rescue no matter what time it is. Don’t abandon your vehicle on the road beacuse of car battery trouble, call Dugger’s 1-877-823-9696

The 5 Most Common Roadside Emergencies (and How to Prevent Them)

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32 million drivers experienced car breakdowns in 2015, the most recent year we have a quality statistic. What’s interesting is the study found car breakdowns are happening more frequently every year.

That’s not surprising since cars on the road get older every year too. While it used to be uncommon for someone to drive a car older than 8 years, the average age of a car on the road is now 11.8 years old. While new cars can have problems too, the older a car gets the more likely they start developing issues.

And when those issues strike, you get caught on the side of the road. So how can you prepare for the most common roadside emergencies? Here’s how to plan.

A Flat Tire

Whether your tires are old or you hit debris in the road, a flat tire can ruin your road trip.

Always keep your car stocked with a spare, a quality jack, and a tire iron. Take the time to learn to change a tire. Or Call Us. We can help.

A Dead Battery

Battery issues are one of the most common car trouble problems. Keep jumper cables or an emergency jump kit in your car so you can jump your car anywhere. This is another car skill you should learn so you can help other drivers – or yourself!

An Overheating Engine

Your car can seem fine all winter long but your first long trip in the summer can lead to your car overheating. If your car overheats, let it cool down before trying to diagnose the problem.

Then check the coolant levels in the radiator. It’s a good idea to keeps some backup fluids like coolant or oil in your car, but water can do the trick in the pinch if the risk of freezing has passed.

Once the car is cool, and you’ve deemed everything looks in working order, start it up again and keep an eye on the heat. It’s a good idea to get your car checked by a mechanic right away.

You Get Stuck

Snow in winter or mud in spring, there’s a lot that nature can throw at your car. Make sure you always have a fully-stocked emergency kit in your car with flashlights, flares, food, blankets, and water. If you can, stock something that will give your car traction, like sticks and blankets for mud or snow, or kitty litter for icy roads.

Learn the best practices in case you get stuck on the side of the road.

You Lock Yourself Out

You’re not the first and you won’t be the last, lockouts occur all the time. The best way to avoid a lockout is to keep a spare key well hidden on your car. The second best is to have professional roadside service backing you up.

Be Prepared for the Most Common Roadside Emergencies

The most common roadside emergencies can happen to anyone, so make sure your car is ready. And if you truly want to be ready for anything, it helps to know you always have roadside emergency support.

Make sure you’re prepared for everything your car can throw at you. Make sure you have emergency road service.

jump start

Your Guide on How to Jump Start a Car

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Do you drive a car every day? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, cars are the primary source of transportation for getting around in the world.

That’s why a dead battery can be a major issue. When your battery is dead, you might find yourself unable to get to work or stranded away from home. This is especially bad when it happens at night or during severe weather.

This article takes a look at how to jump a car when you have a dead battery. Keep reading to discover the insight scoop for how to get the help you need to get your vehicle up and running again.

Always Keep Jumper Cables In Your Trunk

The first step in jump starting a car is you’ll need jumper cables. This might sound obvious, but you’re going to be dead in the water without them. You can buy inexpensive jumper cable at most major retail stores and hardware stores but spend go ahead and spend a few extra bucks on good ones.

Buy a Jump Starter

A jump starter is basically a car battery with jumper cables attached. Keep one of these bad boys in the trunk in case of trouble, and then when your battery needs a jump, you won’t have to worry about sweet-talking someone into helping you out.

You can purchase a decent jump starter for less than a hundred dollars, and this can really save the day if you find yourself in a tight spot.

Make Sure Both Cars Are In Park or Neutral

Before getting out your jumper cables, you’ll need to park the vehicles so that the batteries are as close together as possible. Now put both cars are in park or neutral and turn off the engines. It’s also a good idea to set the parking brakes.

Attaching the Jumper Cables

Getting this part right is extremely important. Now you’re ready to attach the cables to the batteries.

Attach the red clamp to the positive post on your battery first, then clamp the other red clamp to the positive post in the other car. Once that’s done, go ahead and attach the black clamp on your end to your negative battery post. But don’t attach the other black clamp to the remaining negative battery post.

Instead, attach it to a piece of unpainted metal that’s not near your battery. This will serve as a ground.

Start the Other Car

Once the cables are attached to both cars, go ahead and start the car with the good battery. Let it run for a few minutes. This will hopefully give your dead battery a chance to charge enough to start.

Try to Start Your Car

After your battery has charged for five minutes or so, try to start it. It should start right up. If not, go ahead and let it charge for another five to ten minutes. But if there’s still a problem, you’ll probably need to call for help.

Calling for Help

You might need to call a professional roadside service company for help. They usually have a jump starter with them, or they can provide a tow back to the house.

A Guide to How to Jump a Car

Being stranded in your car in a parking lot can be stressful. Fortunately, this guide to how to jump a car will help reduce anxiety during an emergency situation.

Click here to learn more about our emergency battery service.

 

3 Common Issues Your Car Battery Can Have

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A faulty or dead car battery will ruin your day and possibly your week. Now, you have to call a friend to help you get to an auto shop to purchase a new battery.

You can see how your inconvenience is becoming a bigger nightmare for everyone.

Make sure you know the three common car battery problems so you can form solutions and prevent further issues.

1. Corrosion of the Battery

An obvious issue for battery failure is when the battery acid has started to corrode the unit.

The positive and negative terminals on the top of your battery are the points for charging the battery and for the alternator.

Mild corrosion may prevent you from jump-starting the battery or the alternator from charging up the battery when you turn the ignition.

A big sign of corrosion is discolored growths on and around the positive and negative terminals. Expect to see green or blue fungus-like acid on the battery. Another sign of corrosion is a white powder forming.

Battery corrosion is a normal process of the life cycle of a car battery. Small signs of corrosion don’t warrant any panic.

You can remove some acid by wiping it away with a dry rag. For tougher acid corrosion, use a wire brush carefully.

2. Car Battery Problems Are Age-Related

It shouldn’t be a shock that an old battery will die on you. The concept is the same as batteries in a TV remote or clock. Eventually, the battery will have no charge left.

The average lifespan of a battery is up to five years but can be as short as three years depending on climate.

Monitor the age of the car battery and test it regularly.

Parking a car in a garage and not using it can also create battery problems. The alternator in the car charges the battery. If you’re not using the car, the battery continues to drain even if it’s not in use.

It’s good to use all your vehicles occasionally to prevent the battery from dying. You can use a battery charger if you’re unable to use a vehicle for a while.

By knowing the age and watching your battery for signs of failure, you can prevent being caught off-guard on the road. Luckily, there are professionals who can assist you in that event.

3. Cold Climates

Have you ever noticed that your car battery always seems to die during the winter? There’s a reason for that.

Car batteries nearing the end of their life will freeze at relatively cold temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fully charged car batteries are 60% weaker at zero degrees outside.

Unless you have a garage to store your vehicle at night, it might be helpful to keep a portable battery starter in the house.

Look for signs that the battery is dying by watching for dimming lights or clicking sounds when you turn over the ignition.

Drive With Confidence

Knowing the common car battery problems allows you to prevent the issues and form solutions so you aren’t caught stranded on the road.

Even the basic warning your car battery is on its last leg will help you.

If you become stranded without help, contact us for our mobile battery service so we can get you back on the road.

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We Are Here to provide your Essential Services

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Delivering Essential Services, just like we do everyday. Your automobile still needs to start and if you have a dead battery, you can call Dugger’s Emergency Road Service. Battery, Flat Tire, Emergency Fuel Delivery. We offer “hands free” service for your protection and that of our employees.

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What Are the Signs of a Bad Car Battery?

What Are the Signs of a Bad Car Battery?

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According to Arizona State Troopers, over 75,235 individuals have their car break down on the side of a road. Broken-down cars create safety issues for the car owner as well as other cars on the road.

The heat in the area makes broken-down cars more frequent in the area. If your car has stopped unexpectedly, there may be many causes. Often, the culprit is your car’s battery.

Read on to learn about the signs of a bad car battery and what you can do if you find yourself stopped on the side of the road.

Know The Signs of a Bad Car Battery

As with most things, it is best to leave the big repairs to the experts. However, below are some common signs that you need to replace your battery.

Corrosion or Film on Your Battery

You should regularly pop the hood of your car and visually inspect your battery.

If you see a lot of fluffy blue corrosion or a clear film across the top of the battery case, your battery is giving off acidic fumes or is leaking battery acid. This is a sign it needs to be replaced.

Age

All batteries eventually fail with most needing replacement 3-5 years after installation. Extreme temperature fluctuations and repeated cycles of the car starting speed up the battery aging process.

If your car seems to need a regular jump-start, we will send a technician to your house to replace your battery at a time that works for your schedule.

Your Car is Slow to Start

When your car is slow to turn over, makes a whirring sound, or is just sluggish to start the cause is typically a failing battery.

As your battery fails, you may also experience just clicks as you start your car. This is a more severe symptom, so get your battery tested and if needed replace it.

What Does Your Battery Light Indicate?

Yes, there is a battery light in your car. It should and does come on when you start your car. If all systems are a go, this light will go out as soon as your car starts.

If the light comes on while you are driving, that is not usually your battery but your alternator. Your car’s battery starts the car; your alternator generates the power that keeps it running, while it recharges the battery.

A battery light shows that your car is running off the battery because the alternator isn’t doing its job. A trained mechanic should address this quickly, so you don’t break down on the side of a road.

It is always frustrating when your car breaks down. However, the solution is not always expensive. Now that you know the signs of an aging or dead battery, you can better troubleshoot issues and hopefully change the battery before you end up stranded.

Did Your Car Break Down?

If you are in the the Phoenix & Tucson, AZ area or Albuquerque & Rio Rancho, NM area, you should know the number for Dugger’s Emergency Roadside Services. Grab your phone and enter this number into your contacts: (877) 823-9696.

We are here to help you with towing and emergency roadside assistance. We know the signs of a bad car battery, and we can deliver a replacement battery wherever you are.

Don’t just believe us, read our satisfied customers’ reviews.

4 Common Causes Of Car Breakdowns

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Just under half of all car owners experience a battery failure in a single year. If your car suddenly stopped running, would you know what to do or what was wrong?

If you experience a broken down car, there are a few common culprits that you should consider first. Follow our guide for the most common car problems to know how to get back on the road again.

1. Dead Battery

The number one reason people get stuck somewhere is because of a dead battery. You’ll know your battery is dead when you try to start your car, and you hear nothing. You may also hear the starter motor as if it’s grinding down to a stop.

What’s happening is that there’s a lack of power flowing from the battery. To fix this, you need to replace your battery.

The easiest way is to call a jump start service. They can get your car running again so you can go to the nearest store, buy a battery, and replace yours. We recommend making things even easier by buying the battery directly from the jump start service and having them install it.

2. Tires

The second most common reason for a car breaking down is a flat tire. You’ll know you have a flat tire if one of your rims is sitting on the ground. You may also hear a loud pop if you drive over something sharp, and the tire pops.

Do not drive your car with a flat tire. This will bend the rim and cost you more money. Call a flat tire service to come out and replace the flat tire with your spare. Then go to your nearest tire center and buy a new tire.

3. Ran out of Fuel

If you fail to fill your gas tank, it will run out of gas. A car without fuel doesn’t run. If you suspect that you’ve run out of fuel, look at your gas gauge to confirm.

If for any reason, you run out of gas, you can call a fuel delivery service to bring you gas. This is easier than trying to push your car to the nearest gas station or lug containers of fuel back to your vehicle.

4. Alternator

The electrical components use power from the battery to run. You need to recharge the battery, so it lasts.

The alternator is what recharges the battery. It converts power from the engine to do this.

If you see flickering lights, battery warning light, or dimmed lights, then you may have a dying alternator. Once the alternator dies, you’ll need to replace it and possibly your battery to get driving again.

Get Help for Your Broken Down Car

If you find yourself stuck with a broken down car, then having an emergency service on-call can be a lifesaver. We specialize in providing emergency assistance for a variety of vehicle-related problems.

We can help you with a car battery installation, fuel delivery, flat tire, or windshield chip.

Contact our team today if you need emergency roadside service, we proudly serve Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Tucson.

How do cooler temperatures affect my car battery?

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As the weather changes, we forget that the most damage happens to our car battery in the summer heat. Summertime is harshest on an automotive battery. Often the damage done to a battery happens when it’s hot, but the failure may not happen until it is cold. Heat accelerates corrosion and leads to electrolyte loss that weakens the battery’s energy levels. Fuel injection systems may mask a weaker battery.

When the temperatures drop suddenly, colder temperatures reduce cranking power available. When this is combined with thicker motor oil and slower cranking, the battery may not have enough juice to start your vehicle. We are here for you when that happens, whether you need a jump start or an on the spot battery installation. 

Don’t Get Stranded, Call Dugger’s

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New Car Battery delivered and installed