Battery?

[Mike Tieson]

My neighbor just knocked on my door to tell me i left my lights on in my civic, so the car started barley and I drove around for a while, i just went back out and it was very slow turning over. I guess I should replace the battery and if so does it matter what brand?

[shorthand]

I believe there are only two lead acid car battery plants in the US. All brands are actually buying from the same sources. Go somewhere that will warranty their batteries. Leaving your lights on shouldn't have killed your battery, though. How long did you drive for? It often takes 20 minutes to recharge a drained one.

[Mike Tieson]

it was about 20 mins or so

I just strated it again and it was fine so i guess no need to replace

the last time i drove the car was 4 hours prior to being told the lights were on

[ric]

Originally posted by shorthand
I believe there are only two lead acid car battery plants in the US. All brands are actually buying from the same sources. Go somewhere that will warranty their batteries. Leaving your lights on shouldn't have killed your battery, though. How long did you drive for? It often takes 20 minutes to recharge a drained one.

yeah but how old is the battery? usage and cycling kills batteries. there comes a time in its life when the chemical reaction between the lead and acid slows and comes to a halt. question is, is it your batteries time to go? get a load test done on it. thats the only true way to tell if its toast. and yes if its an old battery leaving your lights on for 20 minutes can drain it.

[shorthand]

Also, running on a dead battery can overstress and break your alternator. Have it load tested.