Tag Archives: Battery Test

Car And Truck Battery Testing And Replacement

Saturday, 20 August 2022 12:54

Written by Robert Swedeen

0 Comments

Car And Truck Battery Testing And Replacement The staff of Clark Automotive takes pride in being able to fix automotive problems that stump other auto repair shops, and we also take pride in taking care of the basics, such as tire rotation, brake repair and replacement, and issues with climate control (heat and air conditioning). One of those basics, which often gets overlooked by automobile owners, is your vehicle’s battery. A good car or truck battery will last many years, but not all vehicles are equipped with really good batteries. A battery of lesser quality will begin to falter sooner than its higher quality competition. Clark Automotive can test the strength of your battery and replace it if or when it dies.

Signs Your Battery May Need To Be Replaced

No car battery will last forever. And, unfortunately, you will not always receive signs of a failing battery. It is not at all uncommon for a vehicle owner to start up their car to go grocery shopping as they have done for years, and then discover when trying to leave the store that the battery is no longer working. If you are lucky, you will be shown signs that your vehicle’s battery is weakening. If you attempt to start your car and the engine turns over more slowly than usual, it could be a sign that the battery needs to be replaced.

Once you become aware of that hesitation, you may file it away as an oddity and convince yourself that it was something about the way you turned the key or that you tried to start the car too many times in too short a period of time. Many of us go to great lengths to avoid thinking that our vehicle might need to be repaired. Clark Automotive does not recommend avoiding the painful truths that can accompany a failing automobile battery.

Local Auto Repair Shop Specializing In Battery Testing And Replacement

If you live or work in the Blaine Minnesota area, there really is no reason to do so, not when a service like Clark Automotive is available. Our staff are experts in auto repair, and our entire business model is based on doing everything we can to minimize the cost to our customers. With a matter as simple as a failing battery, it is easy to demonstrate our commitment to honesty and excellent customer service. By treating you respectfully in matters like battery replacement, we know that we can build trust if or when something more serious happens with your vehicle. Because automobiles are machines, and because machines break down, it is inevitable that problems will develop. We hope you will choose Clark Automotive for your next auto repair. Give us a call at (763) 784-7944 to schedule an appointment.

How To Jump Start A Car

Monday, 21 February 2022 13:28

Written by Robert Swedeen

0 Comments

Properly Jump-Starting Your Battery We’re sure you’ve been involved in an unfortunate experience of having a dead car battery. Turning the key and nothing happening or the starter being so weak that it can’t start the engine – what a stressful situation! If you don’t know how to jumpstart your car, don’t worry! Even though it’s a simple process, it can be quite dangerous if you don’t do it properly.

While hooking up jumper cables may seem easy, there is a specific way it must be done to avoid the risk of causing expensive electrical damage to your car or may even explode your car’s battery! Ensure both cars are turned off and that they can reach one another’s batteries with ease.

1. Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal on your stalled car (marked with a “+” or “POS”).
2. Connect the other end of the red/positive cable to the positive terminal on the other car’s good battery.
3. Connect the black cable to the negative terminal on the good battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black cable to a clean, unpainted metal surface under your dead car’s hood. The frame is a good choice. The strut supporting your hood is another viable option. This will serve as your ground, a critical step in preventing dangerous electric shock. If you connect the black cable to the negative terminal on the bad battery, you can cause an explosion.
5. Start the good car and allow it to run for 2 to 3 minutes before attempting to start the dead car. This will allow a charge to build in the dead battery.
6. Start the dead car. If it doesn’t start up immediately, don’t continue trying the key. Instead, turn it back off, and let it charge for another few minutes. If it still won’t start after 2 or 3 tries, your car may be experiencing a more serious underlying issue, such as a battery that can’t hold a charge. If you continue to try to start your car, you may damage your ignition. It’s best to reach out to a local technician if your car is unable to start after following the steps above.

How To Remove Jumper Cables?

Once your car is running, you’ll need to disconnect it. To do so, carefully remove the clamps in reverse order. Keep in mind that you’re dealing with live cables now, so it is very important to only touch the rubber covers on the clamp handles and to never touch the cables together or touch them to another metal surface.

Reliable Car Battery Replacement In Blaine

At Clark Automotive, we will ensure you will have a durable battery that will keep your car running for a long time. If your vehicle is having a battery problem in or around Blaine, give Clark Automotive a call, schedule your appointment today and let us earn your business.

Car Battery Testing And Replacement Service

Monday, 31 January 2022 08:18

Written by Robert Swedeen

0 Comments

Car Battery Testing And Replacement Service One of the most important single components of a modern, computerized vehicle is the automotive battery. Batteries are now more efficient, and they certainly last longer than they used to, but the technology of the automotive battery has remained largely unchanged since it was first developed for installation in the old Model T Fords. This is a testament to the simplicity and longevity of the battery’s design. However, it remains true that every time you start your vehicle, and every day that passes, your vehicle’s battery gets closer to dying and needing to be replaced. Clark Automotive is a reliable source of battery testing and replacement.

Importance Of Your Car’s Battery

Your vehicle’s battery is an essential component in the vehicle’s electrical system. It is not unlike the power pack on the robot from Lost in Space–when the battery is not working, the machine ceases to function. No other single element of your vehicle has earned the descriptor “essential component” more than the battery.

If you are lucky, your battery will give you indications that it is in the process of failing. You may discover that your vehicle is sluggish to start when you turn the key. If it catches and your vehicle does start, running it and driving it will, for a time, charge the battery sufficiently to get you where you are going. But if you leave your car turned off for too long, or simply turn it off and then back on again immediately, you could find that your car no longer starts at all.

Blaine Auto Repair Shop Can Test Your Battery Quickly

The most common reason for a battery’s loss of functioning is time. The more you demand of your battery over time, the faster it will fail. It is also possible for a battery to fail if it has sat idly for long periods of time. A battery can also succumb to extreme temperatures, and we all know that Minnesota has some extreme temperatures. These latter examples–sitting for long periods or being exposed to extreme temperatures–may cause your battery to start your vehicle sluggishly, but it may not be that the battery is failing. But when you hear that sluggish sound, you know something just is not right.

It is best to bring it into our shop, where we can test its current level of utility. Battery replacement is simple and relatively inexpensive, and Clark Auto carries a variety of batteries that will meet your needs. If you have any questions, call us at (763) 784-7944.

Winter Car Maintenance Importance

Thursday, 31 October 2019 10:51

Written by Robert Swedeen

0 Comments

Winter Car Maintenance Importance As the weather cools down here in Minnesota, one of the to-do list items we often forget has to do with properly maintaining our vehicles. Winter car maintenance is extremely important because you never want to be left stranded during the extremely frigid conditions that are an everyday occurrence during the colder months here in Minnesota. At Clark Automotive, we have a team of certified mechanics who are all well versed in winter car maintenance so do yourself a favor and make an appointment to check out your ride before the temperatures really start to drop!

Common Winter Car Maintenance Tips

Below are just a few common winter car maintenance tasks that we recommend here at Clark Automotive.

• Check your oil – It’s important to make sure your oil is in good shape prior to the drop in temperatures. Oil often thickens up as the weather gets colder which can make it more difficult to start your car. You can also use a different type of oil that’s made to be used for winter driving.
• Keep your car clean – Snow, sand and salt can do a number on any vehicle. You want to help improve visibility and reduce the possibility of rust by keeping your car clean. It’s always a good idea to keep your car clean but be sure to avoid freezing wipers, locks and doors.
• Top off fluids – Be sure your coolant is topped off as well as your windshield wiper fluid.
• Check your battery – Your battery tends to fail either in the dead of winter or the heat of the summer. It’s likely a good idea to have your local mechanic check your battery before heading into winter each year.
• Check your tires – As it gets colder outside, your tires will likely lose air pressure. If your tires are underinflated, it can affect how they grip on the road as well as cause them to wear out prematurely.
• Replace your windshield wipers – It’s a good idea to go ahead and replace your windshield wipers before it gets too cold here in Minnesota. Ineffective windshield wipers can lead to dangerous conditions out on the road, especially when snow and ice is involved.

Ready for Your Vehicle’s Winter Check Up?

If you’re interested in keeping your vehicle on the road this winter, why not schedule an appointment to get your car checked out before we’re hit too hard with frigid temperatures this winter? Feel free to give Clark Automotive a call today at (763) 784-7944 to have one of our ASE certified mechanics check out your car before winter hits!

Auto Battery Replacement Shop

Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:22

Written by Auto Repair Shop Blaine

0 Comments

Auto Battery Replacement Shop Did you attempt to start your car only to notice that it wouldn’t crank? If so, you may be thinking that you need a new battery. While this could be true, there are a number of other problems that could be causing your vehicle to not start. At Clark Automotive, we’ll be happy to perform a diagnostic test to determine if you’re in need of a new battery, or if another part of your vehicle is causing the problems you’re experiencing.

Common Signs That You May Need Auto Battery Replacement

Below are a few of the most common signs that it may be time to replace your battery.

Battery Leak – If you notice battery fluid leaking from around the battery terminals in particular, it may prevent you from cranking your vehicle. You can always clean your battery terminals, but this also may be a sign that your battery will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Check Engine Light – While your check engine light could come on for a variety of reasons, it may be because your battery power is weak.
Engine Slow to Crank – If you begin to notice your car taking longer to crank, it could be a sign that you should be in the market for a new battery.
Check the Age of Your Battery – How old is your battery? Most manufacturers will tell you that batteries typically last around three years. If your battery is three years or older it may be time to start thinking about battery replacement. It’s also a good idea to have an auto mechanic check your battery once each year to avoid you from getting stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery.

Extreme Temperatures Can Kill Your Battery

In Minnesota, we’re often dealing with extreme temperatures in the winter and the summer. These extreme temperatures can shorten the lifespan of your battery. This is typically why most battery problems will show up either in the dead of Winter, or the hottest part of Summer. Keep this in mind when it comes time to replace your battery.

Auto Battery Replacement Shop

If you’re dealing with a battery problem, feel free to reach out to Clark Automotive today. We’ll be happy to test your current battery to determine if it’s time for a battery replacement. Feel free to give us a call at (763) 784-7944 or stop by our auto repair shop in Blaine MN today.