Back to all

Battery Basics for Columbus

November 18, 2018

drive

It's important for Columbus drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold Ohio weather. Most Columbus area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Columbus trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Columbus drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a Ohio road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.

Give us a call.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Columbus
4188 W. Broad
Columbus, Ohio 43228
614-276-0164
http://www.tuffycolumbus-broadst.com

 

More articles from Tuffy Columbus (West Broad)

I Want a New Vehicle. Or Do I? (Vehicle Maintenance Payoffs)

February 8, 2026

Spring is a peak season for vehicle sales; companies aggressively market new models and offer all sorts of incentives. So you may be tempted to buy a shiny new beauty. But should you? If you've regularly maintained the vehicle you're driving now, you probably don't NEED a new one. Even if your... More

Poor Reflections (Door Mirror Problems)

February 1, 2026

Mirror, mirror on the door, why is my vision there so poor? Well, you could have a broken outside rearview mirror that's disabled your blind spot vision there and endangering your ability to see some of the traffic around you. Outside rearview (or door) mirrors are important safety devices that ... More

Keeping Your Cool (Coolant System)

January 25, 2026

No matter what the weather is like outside, your internal combustion engine expects to keep its cool all the time, even when it's really cold. That's because engines create the power that moves you to your destination by a series of tiny explosions of a fuel and air mixture. In turn, that genera... More