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Read moreEven in Sunny Queensland, Your Battery Can Fail Due to The Cold
If your engine’s taking a little too long to kick over on these cooler Brisbane mornings, it might be more than just the change in temperature—it could be a tired battery that’s ready to give up.
At Westside Mechanical, we’ve been keeping Graceville and the western suburbs rolling for years, and we know how to spot the signs before you're left stranded. Whether you're commuting into the city, doing the school run, or heading out to Indooroopilly or Sherwood, we’ll make sure your car is ready to go with our quick and reliable battery checks and replacements.
Signs It’s Time to Check Your Battery
Cold air slows the battery’s chemical reaction, which reduces its ability to supply power—right when your engine needs more of it to start. Add in the summer heat, traffic stop-starts, and short trips around town, and your battery can wear out faster than you think. Don't wait until you’re stuck in the carpark at Graceville station. Keep an eye out for:
- Engine cranking slower than usual
- Headlights dimming or flickering when you start the car
- Battery or engine light showing on your dash
- Electrical accessories like windows, stereo, or central locking misbehaving
- Needed a jump-start recently
- Starts feel weaker on cooler mornings
- Battery is older than 3 years or hasn’t been tested in a while
When you stop in for a battery check, we’ll look after you with proper care and no guesswork:
- Full battery performance and voltage testing
- Inspection of terminals and cables for wear or corrosion
- Honest advice—if your battery’s fine, we’ll tell you
- If needed, we’ll supply and install a reliable, long-lasting battery to suit your vehicle and driving habits
We stock high-quality batteries that are tough enough for Brisbane’s weather and ready for the daily grind of city driving.
Stay Charged and Ready to Go
Whether you’re running local errands, driving across town, or heading off for a weekend away, don’t let a flat battery hold you back. Drop by Westside Mechanical for a quick battery check—and keep your car starting strong, all year round.
We answer more questions about your car battery here:
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 Westside Mechanical
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, Westside Mechanical have access to the highest quality batteries to suit most vehicles.
Who can test my car battery?
Westside Mechanical can do a battery load test. Phone us or visit the workshop today.
Why choose Westside Mechanical 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 Westside Mechanical 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 Westside Mechanical 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 Westside Mechanical today. We can recommend the right battery for your needs and install it for you.
