Discussions

Looks like my Civic car battery is pretty much done. Even with the car plugged in all day it just groans. I can boost it but need a new one either installed or I could swap it out myself would just have to bundle up a lot.

I think that you will have to fit it though

Cord good? Are you sure your block heater is working? Should be able to hear a hum if you listen closely.

I thought about the cord maybe having some issues. I know there is power going to the car because I plugged the lamp in the outlet of the cord. The male end of the block heater cord might have a connection problems I don’t know. Part of the problem is it it’s so bloody cold to do any work without gloves on out there. The battery definitely is old also so maybe need one anyway.

Fit a new plug on the end of that cable and see if that helps. That’ll be fun in this temperature.

I too have a Civic. I replaced the battery a few years ago. I got a charger for about 40 bucks too.  
 
When the temp gets extreme like this I put a slow trickle charge on the battery so it gets a good charge. I rarely leave Brandon so my battery doesn't get a good charge from highway trips.  
 
Since I started doing this I've never had to get a boost. I highly recommend this as well.

Walmart or Canadian Tire carry batteries. Walmart has their automotive desk closed, so although they gave batteries, there will probably be nobody there to look it up.  
Canadian Tire can easily look up the size. Civics are a common size. So it shouldn't be an issue.

Are the batteries already charged up when you go to Canadian tire or Walmart to buy one or do you have to do that when you get home? What about Prairie battery is that a good place to go? Never been there.

Yes, i got my last car battery from Prairie Battery. The price was better and it’s been just fine, no issues and that was a few years ago now. I doubt they’re open on Sunday’s though

on Monday go to BRANDON BATTERY on Pacific  
near the 1 st bridge.  
 
batteries for all cars and trucks ALL at $89 plus your old core battery.  
2year free replacement if defective. Balance of 6 year warranty prorated.  
 
Good people, good service

Hi. If you are willing to wait till Monday. Brandon battery on pacific is the place to go. I just got one. Canadian tire 175-225 for my vehicle. Brandon battery 101$ plus they installed for free. Canadian tire wanted a extra 50 to install.

Ok thx all for that info. I can wait till Monday to go to Brandon Bsttery. it’s not like it’s gonna get any warmer any time soon. Will try and work on that cord connection first to see if that might be an issue.

Just got one from them. Good price, fast service and 15 minutes I was on my way.

A new battery will be charged but they often sit on the shelf for a while. Suppliers should rotate their stock and charge regularly but most stores don’t. I like to charge a new battery myself before fitting as it can extend the life, gives you a good starting point. It takes a long drive for a vehicle to fully charge a low battery.

If you're sure it's not the block heater than I agree to down to Brandon Battery. $89 and he'll pull it the shop and change it for free while you wait. I have used 2 of his batteries now and no issues with them. Typically you should be able to get 7-8 years out of a car battery.

At these temps, if your battery is partially discharged, it may have frozen. If frozen, it cannot accept a charge until it is thawed out. If you can handle the cold, remove the battery and bring it inside for the night. Once thawed, put it on the charger. Reinstall and try it again.  
In these temps mind you, the $100 expense for a new battery installed is awful appealing.

If you have a multimeter you could test the block heater as well.

I suggest you check out carefully the block heater. I was going to replace my battery and it turned out that the cord going into the block heater was lose and thus wasn’t working.  
 
And weather like this sometimes is too much for any engine.

Go to Prairie Battery on 18th street.  
Battery hasn’t let me down! Great warranty to!  
 
Edited by Bman123, 2021-02-07 13:47:19

If you have CAA, in Brandon they will test and replace the battery on site. They also test the alternator, starter with their scanner. I replaced my battery in December for $223.99. I was more ticked about it as I had my car in service to switch the tires over a month earlier which 'a garage' which did my service tested the battery and said it was fine. CAA batteries have 3 year warranty + 3 year prorated warranty along as you don't have a frozen battery. This was the better way for me to go instead of the OEM avenue.  
 
I heard good things about Prairie Batteries too.  
 
If you can, drive your car out for 30 minutes a week even its just driving West on Grand Valley Road and head back to Brandon going East on The Trans. Canada Highway.  
 
Edited by alight, 2021-02-07 14:43:18

Every time you kill a standard battery it doesn't come back to full capacity. I always spend a bit more and get an AGM type battery. If you kill it it will come back to 100% when you charge it. They have a longer life too. Also if you drive your car only short distances it never gets a good charge. Doesn't hurt to throw a charger on it once in a while.  
 
Edited by bigmoe, 2021-02-07 16:28:00