Ford Battery Replacement

How Long Does a Ford Battery Last?

As a general rule of thumb, drivers in towns along Lake Michigan like Ferrysburg, Fruitport, and Norton Shores can expect anywhere from three to five years of service out of their Ford battery. However, that’s just a guideline, as factors like usage and maintenance habits can either lengthen or shorten that span. Preferred Ford of Grand Haven offers complimentary computerized battery tests, which measure your battery’s voltage and can ensure that it’s still in working condition.

How Do I Know When to Change My Ford Battery?

Few things can ruin a day quite like a battery going bad. Whether you’re already running late for work and your car is stuck in the driveway, or you end up stranded elsewhere, a dead car battery instantly and unexpectedly alters or cancels even the best-laid plans. The unpredictable weather in Grand Haven, Muskegon, and all across Michigan can add an element of danger as well, as many Ford drivers first become aware of their battery issues right as temperatures turn cold. It also doesn’t help that battery lifespans can vary quite a bit depending on conditions and driving habits.

If you’ve had the same battery in your Ford for three to five years, it’s probably a good idea to consider pre-emptively changing it to avoid an unpleasant surprise one random day, and enjoy peace of mind. However, if you observe any of these subtle signals that your battery’s life is nearing its end, you should bring your vehicle in to Preferred Ford of Grand Haven immediately:

• Your vehicle experiences delayed or slower cranking when starting up or requires a jump
• A battery warning light comes on
• There is visible corrosion on the battery’s terminals
• The odor of rotten eggs is noticeable in the cabin
• Your Ford’s interior or exterior lights are dimmer than usual, or are otherwise behaving unusually

Battery Maintenance Tips

While your Ford battery’s demise at some point is inevitable, there are still plenty of things you can do to make it last as long as possible. Added together, steadfast care might even save you the cost of a battery replacement across the life of your vehicle.

While there’s no avoiding Michigan’s wild temperature swings and their damaging effect on batteries, it can help to keep your Ford in a garage, particularly during extremely hot or cold spells. Another tip involves checking the date code on your battery, which is typically heat-stamped near the top and can give you a rough idea of how much time it has left. Typically, the last two digits of the code will indicate the year it was manufactured, and they will be preceded by a letter representing the month (where A is January, B is February, and so on).

Finally, a few common-sense measures can also help your battery: be sure that all connecting clamps and cables are fastened securely, keep the terminals clear of dirt and corrosion, and limit the use of battery-draining electrical accessories while the ignition is off.

Visit Preferred Ford of Grand Haven for Battery Service

As the premier Ford dealership serving Western Michigan, the factory-certified technicians at Preferred Ford understand the needs of your vehicle better than anyone. We exclusively use OEM Motorcraft® batteries, which feature the latest design and engineering technology and provide dependable power to your vehicle through anything the road or nature can throw at it. On top of that, we’re uniquely able to spot potential issues with your Ford, whether related to the battery or anything else.

Though a battery replacement is generally a quick job, you’ll be able to spend your visit in our well-stocked waiting area that includes free wi-fi and a large selection of beverages. Then, before you know it, you and your Ford will be back on the road.