If your vehicle experiences difficulty starting, the issue likely lies with either the battery or the ignition and starting system

• Depleted battery: This one is easy to fix. You may have inadvertently left your lights on or activated another battery-draining feature. A jump start will get you back on the road, and it serves as a valuable lesson.

• Old battery Unable to Hold a Charge: It's time to invest in a new battery. If a jump start proves ineffective or your car fails to start the next day, it's advisable to have your battery examined.

• Starter is broken: This is not your battery’s fault. Mechanical problems may be hindering ignition, leading to battery drainage or preventing the battery from charging during driving.

If a single jump start doesn't resolve your starting issues, seek professional testing for your battery. If the battery is in good condition, it's time for diagnostic service, starting with an assessment of your starter and alternator.

If your vehicle won’t start with a fully-charged and healthy battery, the usual suspects are problems with your starter, your alternator, your ignition switch, your spark plugs or your fuses. It’s also worthwhile to clean your battery terminals and connectors if they’re dirty or corroded and see if your car will start. But the only way to be sure your battery is healthy is to test it with a voltmeter. When you have your vehicle towed to NCA, it’s the first thing we’ll check.

• Corrosion around the battery terminals: Your local NCA technician will visually inspect these during every NCA General Inspection and can clean away corrosion safely.

• Something’s draining your battery: Check every light switch, door, liftgate included and lighted compartment in your vehicle. You may be leaving a door slightly ajar, or a faulty latch could appear closed but is allowing your lights to stay on overnight.

• End of battery life: Every car battery has a finite charging capacity, testable with a voltmeter machine.

• A bad alternator: The alternator is responsible for recharging your battery as you drive, so it’s one of the first mechanical problems to check.

• Other defective vehicle parts: From the fuses to the serpentine belt.

• It's advisable to replace a car battery once its capacity has fallen below 12 volts, a common occurrence after three to seven years of use. Keep an eye out for these indicators that your battery is reaching a critical low

• Inability to Accept a Charge: When you hear rapid clicks instead of the engine cranking, and jump-starting proves ineffective. To resume normal operation, it's essential to install a new battery.

• Inability to Hold a Charge: Jump-starting works, but if you find yourself needing to jump-start repeatedly, it’s time to get a new battery.

• Low Voltage Reading on a Voltmeter: Your voltmeter indicates low voltage in the battery. This is a clear sign that replacement is warranted to ensure reliable performance.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes replace a car battery on most vehicles. NCA’s car battery replacement includes cleaning the battery tray and terminals to remove debris and battery acid. NCA disposes of your old battery in an environmentally friendly way.

Refer to your car owner's manual for information on the appropriate battery size. If you have any questions regarding the battery specifications for your specific make and model, visit New Civic Autos or give us a call.