Many vehicle owners may not pay attention to their car battery until it dies and leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere. In such cases, a jump-start can get the battery up and running again, but only for so long. More often than not, it’s a short-term solution to a bigger problem. Here’s what you need to know about this process. 

Why May Your Battery Need a Jump-Start?

The battery is part of a vehicle’s electrical system that provides the initial power or electrical current to get the engine to function. So when yours is weaker than usual, it will have a harder time starting up your vehicle, especially during a cold morning. But how does that exactly happen?

Inside your battery are chemicals in the battery fluid that react to make and hold a charge, which is enough to power up the electrical components of your vehicle. However, the cycle of chemical reaction won’t last forever, and for car batteries, it lasts for at least three to five years, depending on multiple factors like temperature and usage. When they are approaching the end of their useful life, their ability to hold a charge deteriorates until they can no longer do so.  

A jump-start delivers a surge of energy from an outside source to your dying battery. It’s enough to give life but only for a while by boosting the chemical reaction inside. When you need to have one performed, it’s better to have a professional do it to avoid accidents, and in some cases, explosions.

How Long Can a Jump-Start Last?

It’s easy to think that a jump-start can solve all your battery woes, allowing you to put off replacement for as long as possible. However, that isn’t always the case. For batteries nearing or past their five-year mark, they store less energy than before, even after recharging them. A jump-started battery is nowhere near its full state, so to keep the engine going, the alternator steps in and provides electricity instead.

This setup, however, is terrible for your alternator as it can result in its premature failure due to overworking. The alternator is the one responsible for recharging the dying battery and running the electrical system. When it fails, it’s costlier and more time-consuming than replacing the battery. That’s why it’s crucial to think of a jump-start as a stop-gap solution, and not a long-term one.           

When you’re stranded with a discharged battery somewhere in Shasta County, call on the trusted professionals at Mt. Burney Towing for a jump-start. Based in Burney, CA, they’ve provided a variety of roadside assistance services, including auto towing, flat tire replacement, and lockouts, to motorists since 2001. Call (530) 335-3333 for prompt care today or view their full list of services online.