Article
Do you service your car regularly?
Not having your car serviced may lead to unexpected issues down the line that can prove costly.
Read moreCold Weather + City Driving = Battery Trouble
While Sydney winters aren’t exactly freezing, the drop in temperature is enough to affect your battery’s performance—especially if it’s already a few years old. Short trips, traffic lights, and constant stop-start driving in areas like Botany can wear batteries down quicker than you might think. Combine that with a few cool mornings and your battery might just call it quits.
At Alex's Auto Services, we’re all about helping locals stay on the road—whether you're commuting into the CBD, heading to the airport, or getting the kids to school on time. That’s why we offer fast, honest battery checks and replacements right here in Botany, so you can avoid surprises and keep moving.
Signs Your Battery Might Be Fading
Catch the early signs before you’re stuck in a carpark or late for work:
- Engine turns over slowly or struggles to start
- Headlights or dash lights flicker when starting
- Battery or engine warning light on your dash
- Power windows, radio or central locking acting up
- Needed a jump-start recently
- Starts are worse on cooler mornings
- Your battery is 3+ years old or hasn’t been tested in a while
We only use trusted battery brands, built to handle Sydney’s heat, traffic, and unpredictable weather.
Don’t Let a Flat Battery Ruin Your Day
Whether you’re heading up Southern Cross Drive or just around the corner to Eastgardens, your car should start first time, every time. Drop into our Botany workshop for a quick battery check and let us keep your vehicle powered up and ready to go.
More car battery questions answered:
How do I know if my battery is getting flat or low?
The most obvious sign of a flat battery is when your car won't start, but modern motor vehicles can show symptoms like non-essential functions not operating correctly - things like idle stop-start function not working, or the car's air-conditioning not working effectively.
Other signs you might need a new car battery include:
- Vehicle is slow to start
- Engine won't start
- Dash Lights work, but engine won't start
- Constantly needing a jump start
- Film or corrosion on the battery
- Cracked swollen or leaky battery
- Rotten egg smell under the hood
Do I need a new car battery?
The most obvious sign of a flat battery is when your car won't start. Modern motor vehicles can show symptoms like the idle stop-start not working or the car's air-conditioning not working to full capacity.
Other signs include cracked, dirty or leaky batteries, a rotten egg smell under the hood of your car, or regularly needing a jump start or recharge. The best way to know if you need a new battery is to get a car battery test at Alex's Auto Services
Does a flat battery use more fuel?
Yes! When your car battery is running flat, the alternator works harder to recharge the battery. This added load on the engine means it burns more fuel.
Where can I buy a new car battery?
Come in and see us! As a Repco Authorised Service Centre, Alex's Auto Services have access to the highest quality batteries to suit most vehicles.
Who can test my car battery?
Alex's Auto Services can do a battery load test. Phone us or visit the workshop today.
Why choose Alex's Auto Services for a battery test?
If you have concerns about your vehicle's performance, it is wise to get your battery tested at a full-service workshop like Alex's Auto Services rather than at a parts store. That's because we take into consideration the whole vehicle and can diagnose any deeper issues.
There is nothing worse than replacing your car battery only to find the problem actually lies elsewhere… except maybe being told your battery test is fine with no explanation for your ongoing issues!
Can my car battery be recharged?
Yes, in fact the battery is being recharged by the alternator in your car whenever the engine is running. Sometimes this fix isn't enough, and your battery requires an external recharge. It's best to ask the professionals like our team at Alex's Auto Services about this, as you could void the battery warranty by recharging it yourself.
Sometimes external recharging is not the best option because every battery eventually reaches a point in its life where replacement is the only answer to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Can I fit my battery myself?
The short answer is yes...But! Modern vehicles are “computers on wheels”, so if you decide to DIY you must follow proper installation procedures to avoid damaging the ECM (Engine Control Module) and TCM (Transmission Control Module).
Plus, if the battery gets incorrectly installed, items like the radio, the navigation system and security codes may need to be professionally reset.
Talk to Alex's Auto Services today. We can recommend the right battery for your needs and install it for you.
