Batteries
Slow to start, or dead in the driveway? We test the battery and the charging system under load, and fit the right replacement while you wait.
Battery work we do
- Battery tested under load, not just a voltage reading
- Charging system and alternator output tested at the same time
- Parasitic drain testing for batteries that go flat overnight
- Batteries supplied and fitted for most makes, usually while you wait
- AGM and EFB batteries for stop-start vehicles
- Battery registration and coding on European vehicles that require it
- Terminals and earth straps cleaned and protected
- Battery hold-down clamps and trays checked and replaced
- Old batteries taken away and recycled
Why we test the charging system too
A flat battery is a symptom. If the alternator is not charging properly, or something is drawing current while the car sleeps, a new battery will go flat as well — you have replaced the victim, not the cause.
So we test all three: the battery under load, the alternator output while running, and the current draw with the car locked and asleep. That takes a few extra minutes and saves people from buying two batteries in a year.
Stop-start cars need the right battery
Vehicles with stop-start use AGM or EFB batteries built for the constant cycling. Fitting a standard flooded battery to one of these will get you going for a while, then fail early and can upset the charging strategy.
Many European cars also need the new battery registered to the vehicle's power management system. Skip that step and the car keeps charging to the old battery's profile, which shortens the new one's life. We do it as part of the fit.
Signs it is on the way out
The engine cranks slowly, especially on a cold morning. Headlights dim noticeably at idle. The car needs a jump start after sitting a few days. Or the battery is simply over about four years old — that is a normal life in Sydney heat, and they usually fail without much warning.
What it costs
Testing is quick and we will tell you honestly if the battery is still good. If you need one, price depends on the size and type your car takes — AGM costs more than a standard battery. Call with your make and model for a price.