Car died in traffic?
Hazards on, and get the car and everyone in it out of the way of other traffic if you can do it safely. Call roadside assistance if you have it. Don't jump-start a battery that's cracked, leaking or smells of rotten egg. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 000.
Why batteries give out in Bendigo
Frost
Frosts are common here in winter and spring, and the July mean minimum is 2.7 °C. RACV says cold weather weakens battery performance, and a cold engine is harder to turn, so a tired battery tends to be found out on a frosty morning before work.
Heat
The other end of the year is just as hard. Summer days above 35 °C are common, and NRMA says extreme heat or cold can shorten a battery's life. Park in the shade or the garage when you can.
Short trips in a compact city
Bendigo's urban area is only about 82 square kilometres, so a lot of trips are short ones. RACV says trips under 20 minutes don't give the alternator enough time to recharge the battery, and RACT says cars mostly doing short trips will likely see a battery fail sooner.
Towing gear
RACT lists trailer brake controllers, dash cameras and reverse cameras among the add-ons that can drain a battery while the car is parked. If your car tows a boat to Lake Eppalock or a van up to the Murray, tell the mechanic about the wiring.
Is it the battery or the alternator?
Check before you buy. RAC WA says slow cranking and fading dash lights can also point to a faulty alternator, and a meter test tells the two apart. A new battery won't last long in a car that isn't charging it.
If the battery light is on while you drive, that usually points at the charging system rather than the battery itself. See the battery light and alternator and starter motor pages.
The right battery for the car
RACV says a replacement should have the same or a higher cold cranking amps (CCA, the battery's starting power) rating, with matching size and terminal positions. RAC WA says AGM batteries suit hybrids and cars with stop-start, and some new batteries need the car's electrical system reset after fitting. A mechanic who works on your make will know which applies.
What the mechanic should tell you
- The battery test result, and the charging system result.
- The type and CCA of the new battery, against what the maker specifies.
- Whether the car needs the new battery registered after fitting.
- What happens to the old one: lead-acid batteries should be recycled.
- The warranty on the battery, written on the invoice.
Our take
If the battery is three years old or more and slow on cold mornings, we'd have it tested in autumn, before the frosts, rather than wait for the day it won't start. If it's already flat, pick "Come to me" and say whether the car is at home, at work or by the road.