my 5 year old mazda 6 needs a jump start every time i take it out the garage . do i need a new battery?

Answer 1

Yes and no, if there is a accesory on that you might not see that is on, it could drain your battery after a few days. Take it to autozone or a place like that and have them test it for free.

Answer 2

Not necessarily, have you checked the electrolyte level in the battery? The water (distilled) tends to evaporate off when the engine is warm and the water is also lost by conversion to oxygen and hydrogen. Most (so called) sealed for life batteries are just ordinary lead acid ones and because you are not checking the level will fail when the level gets below the plates, it may not be too late to top up and then the battery should work again, however if you have bent plates then the battery is finished. So the first thing I would do is take the top off and top up with distilled water, nothing lost if it does not work, and remember that the guarantee only runs for a year so what you do with battery after that makes no difference. My battery is seven years old and still good. Had one that lasted 10 years.

Answer 3

Hi

Not necessarily. And even if the alternator is charging correctly it doesn't necessarily mean you need a new battery either.

A good cause of flat batteries is the luggage compartment light staying on.

Tilt the back seats forward and see if its on with the lid shut.

If it isn't then you need to move into the realms of checking the alternator etc.

The alternator should be putting out between 13.8 and 14.2 volts with the engine idling at 2300 rpm, the heated rear screen, headlights, and heater blower on full.

You can get a very cheap battery and charging system tester from say, Halfords or the like, but you would need to take the batery to an autofactors for a voltage drop test to be carried out.

Cheers

Geordie

Answer 4

It might be the battery, but you can first check that yopur alternator belts are tight and that it is charging. If yoiu buy a new battery and it is not the battery your problem is still there and money is wasted. A multimeter is usually less that ten dollars or most garage mechanics will check your charge rate for free. If there is an alternator problem they usually cost under $50 at the wrecker's. Usually wrecker's give a return policy on alternators even though they test them first.

Of course, your problem might just be corroded battery terminals and a cleaning might be all that is needed!


Edit
Now I read other answers, think about what Dennis and Fordman said.

Answer 5

That is most likely the cause! If you have a dead cell then your battery will not hold a charge! Next time you take it out the garage and before you jump start it, check the voltage of the battery, it should be about 13 volts (for a healthy one) and if one cell is dead, then it would be lower than 12!

Answer 6

There could be a number of things wrong. You might need a new battery but the alternater might also be dodgy, these can be reconditioned though so you don't have to cough up for a new one. There could also be a bad earth somewhere draing the power from the battery. Check the fluid levels of the battery aswell it may just need to be topped up.

Answer 7

Yes , replace the Battery, Also Mazda has a problem with
relays that stay on.

Answer 8

Get the auto centre to test the Battery to be sure and they can also test the charge rate while they are at it.

My guess is the battery has had it!

Answer 9

yes.. average life for a battery is 3 to 4 years, less if its left unused the plates inside corrode, and it doesnt hold a charge... it runs only coz the alternator is working...

Answer 10

You may or may not need one. Have you cleaned the battery terminals? Do you have an output from the alternator.