Maintenance
Battery Replacement
Battery and charging system tested, battery replaced and recycled.
Signs you need this
- Slow or laboured cranking, especially on cold mornings
- Clicking when you turn the key
- Battery or charging warning light
- The battery is more than four or five years old
A battery rarely warns you before it quits, and Toronto winters find the weak ones on the coldest morning of the year. A load test takes minutes and tells you whether yours will make it through.
We test the charging system as well — a failing alternator kills new batteries, so replacing the battery alone can just buy you the same problem again in three months.
Common questions
How long does a car battery last?
Three to five years is typical in this climate. Heat is what ages a battery, but cold is what exposes it — a battery that was quietly failing all summer is the one that won't turn the engine over on the first hard frost.
How do I know if my battery is failing?
Slow cranking, headlights that dim at idle, needing a boost, or a battery warning light. We load test it and read state of health rather than guessing, because a battery can read 12 volts and still be unable to start the car.
Is it the battery or the alternator?
They look identical from the driver's seat, which is why we test both. We check charging system output as well as the battery itself — replacing a battery when the alternator is the fault just leaves you stranded again.
Do you recycle the old battery?
Yes. The old battery goes for recycling as part of the job, and we clean the terminals and treat any corrosion before fitting the new one.
Something else? Call (647) 436-5940 during shop hours and talk to an advisor.
From the blog
More on battery replacement
More maintenance
Maintenance
Engine & Cabin Air Filters
Engine and cabin air filters inspected and replaced.
Engine every 20,000–30,000 km · cabin yearly
Maintenance
Wiper Blades
Front and rear wiper blades replaced at the correct length.
Yearly, or after a hard winter
Maintenance
Brake Service
Calipers cleaned, hardware lubricated, and brakes adjusted per axle.
Yearly — ideally at your winter changeover
Ready when you are
Book online in under a minute, or call the shop and talk to an advisor directly.