Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Car Batteries

You should think of your car battery as the heart of your vehicle. You would think the engine would be a better metaphor, but your car battery is what essentially gives your vehicle power. Just like you wouldn’t want your body to go without a beating heart, you wouldn’t want your vehicle to go without battery power. Otherwise, you’ll end up getting stuck somewhere because of a dead or defective battery. The best method for maintaining a functional and reliable automotive battery is to have your vehicle serviced professionally at least twice per year.

If you are concerned about your car battery, or simply wish to learn more about them, continue reading for some frequently asked questions about dead car batteries, as well as, their answers.

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Indianapolis Junk Car and Auto Parts Buyer 1-888-586-5322

How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

The typical lifespan for a standard lead-acid car battery is between 3 to 5 years. For those who drive often or long distances, change out your batteries closer to the 3 year mark. This is recommended for older vehicles as well. Keep in mind that although this is the standard lifespan, there are several factors that can shorten the life of your car battery.

How Do I Know if My Car Battery is Dying?

There are several signs that indicate it’s time to service or replace your car battery. These signs include but are not limited to: slow engine crank, weak engine power, dashboard lights illuminated (even if it seems unrelated), check engine light turns on, low battery fluid, dim lights (interior and exterior), sluggish car start, bloated battery casing, smell of sulfur or rotten eggs, and more.

Why Did My Car Battery Die?

The most common cause for a dead car battery is drainage. If you leave your headlights or interior lights on all night by accident, you may wake up to find that your car battery is dead. A simple jump start will fix this issue in as little as a five minutes. Other circumstances that can cause your battery power to drain include not closing the visor or glove box all the way, leaving a stereo on, leaving a door ajar, and leaving the dome light on.

After several hours, a battery will drain entirely, even sooner if it’s old or close to replacement. As for other reasons why your car battery might have died, things like parasitic draw, defective battery cells, low battery fluid, and more can all play a role. It is best to have your battery inspected by a trained mechanic for accurate and professional assistance.

How Can I Tell the Age of My Car Battery?

The age of your automotive battery is easy to locate. The manufacturer date is always stamped on a label, which is usually on its side. The information on the label will provide the date the battery was sent by the manufacturer. The first two characters of the label represent different pieces of information. The letter represents the month the battery was made, while the number represents the year (i.e. JAN=A, FEB=B, 9=1999, 1=2001, etc.).

HELPFUL HINT: Contact a trusted Indianapolis scrap metal buyer to sell your old car battery for cash.

Where to Scrap Old Auto Parts in Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to scrap used auto parts in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

How to Extend the Life of Your Car’s Transmission

The transmission inside your vehicle is one of the most critical engine components. Without it, your wheels won’t move. In order to preserve your vehicle for as long as possible, it is in your best interest to maintain the transmission to the best of your ability. Otherwise, transmission troubles can quickly worsen, and even lead to entire transmission failure. Fortunately, transmission care is straightforward and easy. And in the case that your transmission blows, there is a pleasing recourse that might help you pay for a replacement.

Continue reading to learn more about transmission maintenance, including how to get payment relief for a new one.

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If you want your transmission to last a long time, plus withstand natural wear and tear along the way, be sure you add these priorities to your maintenance plan:

⛮ Transmission Fluid Monitoring

There are many variables that influence how to properly check a car or truck’s transmission fluid.  It depends on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as, other more specific factors.  For example, in most cases it is instructed to leave the car engine on while checking the transmission fluid. However, if you are driving a Honda, the engine needs to be turned off. 

In a Dodge, the car needs to be in neutral while applying the emergency brake.  With all the different rules and elements that apply to each make and model, it is strongly suggested to have a professional car repair and maintenance shop take a look for you.  Most auto repair shops are willing to check car and truck fluids for free, so be sure to take advantage of this when it comes to changing fluids in your ride.

⛮ Transmission Fluid Leak Detection

Transmission fluid repair technicians advise drivers to have their car or truck looked at professionally because it can be difficult determining where a leak originated from in a car or truck.  The technicians will start an inspection to find the source of the leak.  Often times, this type of inspection is accompanied with a small fee, usually around $75  or so.

However, if you have the leak repaired at the same place it was inspected, the fee is typically waived.  When an auto mechanic technician facilitates an inspection to seek out a transmission leak, they will check everything from the cooler lines to the differential cover.  Somewhere in between they will typically find the leak and can assess its severity.

⛮ Never Drive With a Transmission Leak

Many people on the road have transmission leaks and don’t even know it.  These minor leaks can go unnoticed to an amateur eye.  This does not mean that it is safe to drive with a transmission leak or any other car fluid leak.  Minor leaks typically do not impose an immediate danger when it comes to driving, but they will most certainly lead to more severe damages to other car parts.  Corrosion and deterioration will occur to pumps, seals, and more.  These damages are costly and can be avoided by having a transmission fluid leak repaired right away. 

⛮ Learn About Transmission Rebuilds

A common question regarding transmissions is about rebuilds.  Rebuilding transmissions is a costly repair that can be avoided prematurely through regular service, maintenance, and care.  However, there always comes a time in a car or truck’s life when the transmission needs rebuilding or replacing. 

A few telltale signs that a transmission is on its last leg are as follows:  if the gear is slipping in and out, if the engine is revving high when the vehicle is moving moderately or slow, if it will not go in reverse, and many more.  If any of these are happening when driving your truck or car, call a professional auto repair company in your area, and have it inspected right away.

⚠ If your transmission fails, and you need to buy a new one, scrap your old one for some instant cash! Then use this cash to pay for your new auto part!

Where to Scrap Old Auto Parts in Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to scrap used auto parts in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Factors That May Cause Premature Tire Deterioration

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Recycle Used Tires 1-888-586-5322

All tires endure exponential wear and tear from the moment they touch pavement. Since tire deterioration is inevitable, routine tire maintenance and replacement are necessary throughout a vehicle’s lifespan. Although you will always have to replace your tires at some point, it is helpful to know what causes tires to deteriorate in order to slow down the process. Furthermore, it is wise to learn what you can do with your old tires so that they do not go to waste.

Keep in mind that tires in poor condition can be potentially dangerous, and even lead to serious motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Not only can learning these facts help you to avoid habits that increase the likelihood of tire wear and tear, it can keep you and your loved ones better protected on the road. Continue reading to explore the reasons behind tire premature deterioration, and how you can make the most out of old, worn-out tires.

Alignment

One of the most common reasons tires deteriorate quicker than usual is due to improper tire alignment. Testing your vehicle’s alignment is easy to do on your own. Start by picking a flat, wide open area. From an idling position, take your hands off the steering wheel, and then slowly remove your foot from the brake. If your car begins to prominently veer or favor one side, the alignment needs attention. If the car seems to remain in a virtually straight path, then your alignment is in good shape.

Rotation

It is crucial to have your tires rotated and balanced on a routine basis to promote even deterioration on the tire tread. This should be done at least once per year, but for optimal results, have your tires rotated twice a year. If you neglect this factory scheduled maintenance, your tires can develop something called scallops, which basically feels like bumps in the road when you drive. If your tires have scallops, then you are not rotating and servicing them enough every year.

Inflation

Believe it or not, but tire inflation affects a few important aspects of your vehicle. Not only does improper tire pressure result in decreased gas mileage, it causes increased wear and tear. If a tire is inflated properly, all parts of the tread should make contact with the ground in all the right areas and in an even fashion.

Sell Used Car Tires for Cash on the Spot!

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell used car tires for cash in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our experienced Indianapolis scrap metal buyers accept any and all used auto parts, regardless of age or condition. We also accept used parts from all other motorized commodities, including farm equipment, construction equipment, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, watercrafts, scooters, motorcycles, RVs, and more! Call 1-888-586-5322 for a free estimate, today.

What is a Four Stroke Combustion Cycle?

Most cars and trucks we see on the road today have four-stroke engines that operate using a four stroke combustion cycle. Continue reading to learn how these engines work.

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Used Auto Part Buyers 1-888-586-5322


Four stroke engines are internal combustion engines whose pistons complete four separate “strokes” in order to convert fuel into motion. Each stroke is completed as the piston takes a full stroke along the cylinder. The four strokes in a four stroke engine cycle are as follows: Intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. Continue reading to learn more about each stroke and how the four stroke combustion cycle works.

Otto Cycle

Nikolaus Otto was the man who invented the four stroke cycle back in the late 1800’s. For this reason, the four stroke combustion cycle is also commonly referred to as the Otto cycle. In contrast, there is a man named James Atkinson that invented a single-stroke combustion cycle, appropriately called the Atkinson cycle. This cycle is applied in modern hybrid electric technologies. As for the four stroke engine cycle, here is a breakdown of each stroke:

Intake
During the intake stroke, the intake valves open, allowing the pistons to travel down along the cylinder, increasing the cylinder’s volume, and allowing the engine to “take in” a full cylinder of air and fuel. Only a tiny drop of gasoline is mixed with air to perform this stroke.

Compression
The air and fuel mixture within the engine’s cylinders is compressed when the intake and exhaust valves close and the pistons move back to the top of the cylinders. As the pistons move up, they compress the air and fuel mixture into the cylinder heads.

Combustion
At the combustion stroke, ignition takes place. This stroke begins at the second revolution of the cycle. Once the compressed air enters the cylinder heads, the engine’s spark plug ignites this air and creates power. This combustion forces the pistons to travel back down the cylinders.

Exhaust
At the exhaust stroke, the pistons travel back up the cylinders and the exhaust valves open. This ejects the residual air fuel mixture emissions through the exhaust valves and out through the tailpipe.

Old Car Engines

When your car engine takes a turn for the worst, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of replacing it with a new one. After all, the cost of engine replacement these days is incredibly high. In fact, you could buy a perfectly good used car for the price of some brand new car engines! Fortunately, you have the more cost-effective option of purchasing a used car engine. To make the most out of broken down car engine, sell it to an Indianapolis used auto part buyer for cash on the spot. Then apply this profit toward a new car engine!

We Buy and Recycle All Used Auto Parts

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell used car parts for cash in Indianapolis, Indiana. We buy and recycle any and all used auto parts, regardless of age or condition. We also accept parts from all other motorized commodities, including farm equipment, construction equipment, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, watercrafts, scooters, motorcycles, RVs, and more! Request a free estimate, today.