[roybean]

I think my new car needs a battery....isn't this a little soon? I've had it a little over 8 months now.

[E. Normis Debtor]

Not necessarily. If the battery was dropped or otherwise damaged in transport before installation, the plates or internal post lugs could have been damaged.

If it's a new car, check your warranty for coverage. Sometimes batteries, like tires, are warranted on a pro-rata basis. In other words, you pay for what you used.

If that's the case, find out what the pro-rata charge would be. Since that charge is based on the dealers retail price of a new battery, and they are generally expensive, you might find it cheaper to just buy a new battery at your local discount auto parts store.

[jlynn]

Originally Posted by roybean

I think my new car needs a battery....isn't this a little soon? I've had it a little over 8 months now.

Are you out of the manufacturer's warranty for the car? They are usually at least 12 months or 12K miles, whichever comes first.

Take it to the dealer to be checked if its still under the above warranty. Although batteries are generally not covered by a warranty - at least you will know for sure what it is.

What has me curious is that you THINK you need one. Usually when you need a battery you know - it either works or it doesn't. Jeepy has a loose negative battery cable, and I occasionally have to go yell at it and jiggle it a bit - then it will start.

[roybean]

Originally Posted by jlynn

Are you out of the manufacturer's warranty for the car? They are usually at least 12 months or 12K miles, whichever comes first.

Take it to the dealer to be checked if its still under the above warranty. Although batteries are generally not covered by a warranty - at least you will know for sure what it is.

What has me curious is that you THINK you need one. Usually when you need a battery you know - it either works or it doesn't. Jeepy has a loose negative battery cable, and I occasionally have to go yell at it and jiggle it a bit - then it will start.

I've had quite a few cars JLynn because I got started earlly, but this is the first new one in a while...I am pretty sure it's the battery, but with newer cars being computerized....as I said, "I'm pretty sure it's the battery."

Thing is, this is Sunday and I have things to do early tomorrow morning.

[Pale Rider]

Originally Posted by roybean

Thing is, this is Sunday and I have things to do early tomorrow morning.

The local Autozone will usually test the battery and alternator for free. Go down and let them check it out.

[roybean]

Originally Posted by E. Normis Debtor

Not necessarily. If the battery was dropped or otherwise damaged in transport before installation, the plates or internal post lugs could have been damaged.

If it's a new car, check your warranty for coverage. Sometimes batteries, like tires, are warranted on a pro-rata basis. In other words, you pay for what you used.

If that's the case, find out what the pro-rata charge would be. Since that charge is based on the dealers retail price of a new battery, and they are generally expensive, you might find it cheaper to just buy a new battery at your local discount auto parts store.

I can't find out too much today, but my dealership sends me coupons for everything such as oil changes and general service. I guess it's just a coincidence that they sent me a coupon for a battery just about a month ago.

[roybean]

Originally Posted by Pale Rider

The local Autozone will usually test the battery and alternator for free. Go down and let them check it out.

They are right up the street too...let me see what I gotta do because I have to be in the car early tomorrow.

[Pale Rider]

They may require that you remove the alternator, which is not always easy to do, especially if that is your only car. Another way tho test it, is to see haw many volts are at the battery while it is running. If it is below 12 then for sure the alternator is not charging.

[hannah]

RB, depending on how your warranty is written, if you take it somewhere else other than your dealer you may void your warranty. Read it before you do anything.

[centex]

Originally Posted by hannah

RB, depending on how your warranty is written, if you take it somewhere else other than your dealer you may void your warranty. Read it before you do anything.

A manufacturer may not require that you have work done at a stealership in order to protect the warranty. Similarly, they may not require that you use only 'factory' parts as replacements in order to continue warranty protection.

That said, lemon law protections are best saved by taking an early-warranty vehicle to the stealership.

Factory batteries are notorious for dying an early death...for many years, if you got more than two years out of a Ford battery on a new vehicle, you were doing good. I got more than six out of the truck batteries though, and it was not driven on a daily basis. One of the originals is still in there at seven years of age, but I am about to replace it to keep it from crippling the other replacement (it uses two batteries).

The Mustang, on the other hand, tended to go through them about every two years like clockwork.

Never having had one fail as early as roybean discusses, though, my bet is something else within the electrical system. If the vehicle has an alarm, the dark current can be sufficient to drain a battery on some vehicles...espcially the way some manufacturers have downsized the batteries in an attempt to shave a few pounds from the weight of the vehicle...

[Hedwig]

I'm betting one of three things--either there's something else in the electrical system, the alternator is bad, or a door was left ajar or the light on or something, and it's totally discharged. In that case, putting it on a battery charger or getting it jump started and driving for a while (the driving allows the alternator to charge the battery).

[roybean]

I am hoping it is not the electrical system, but I've known this to happen in newer cars and I am careful about closing my doors and making sure the lights are off. The alternator has no business being faulty.

I just need my car in the morning...that's what's bugging me and it's Sunday.

[Pale Rider]

Originally Posted by centex

The Mustang, on the other hand, tended to go through them about every two years like clockwork.

I had a problem with a '90 Mustang GT. The battery kept dying, and the dealership mechanic said it would charge fine if you kept the rpm's at 1500. Kind of hard to do when the overdrive kept the rpm's lower than that at 55 on the highway. I made them replace the alternator and battery, and never had another problem.

[Pale Rider]

RB,

Have Autozone pull the codes on the vehicle to see if it is showing any errors in the computer. They do that for free also.

The alternator should not be bad this soon, but things happen.

[Hedwig]

True. Sometimes you just get a faulty one from the factory.

[roybean]

Well, I guess it must be my day (again)...I've been reading my warranty and t seems that I am covered with Chevy Roadside assistance and the car is definitely under warranty. Roadside said, I shouldn't have a problem with a new vehicle, but things do happen. So I can have them come try to jump it and if that doesn't work, they'll tow it to the dealer which isn't far from me, but either way I am covered (no charge).

[roybean]

Originally Posted by Pale Rider

RB,

Have Autozone pull the codes on the vehicle to see if it is showing any errors in the computer. They do that for free also.

The alternator should not be bad this soon, but things happen.

You mean take the battery to Autozone and let them charge me up?? Hell nawl!

GMAC is gonna take care of this....

Granted my engine is clean, but I am not going thru no changes. This was the whole point of buying a new car, so I don't have problems like this. Hey you guys...if it something really serious....can I get another new car???