Ford Caribbean | Owners | Vehicle Maintenance | Battery Service | caribe.ford.com
Battery Service
You’ll help keep your battery at its very best and our technicians can spot battery troubles before they become serious.
Signs That Your Battery Needs Service
Your battery may be worn or damaged if you:
- See corrosion or damage to the battery cables or terminals
- See worn drive belts
- See that your battery is bulging or deformed
- Feel loose battery cables or terminals
- Feel the battery is able to wiggle or move in its mounting
- Constantly experience charging or electrical system problems
- Experience trouble or difficulty getting your engine to start
If any of these symptoms occur, you should get your battery tested at your local Ford, Lincoln or Mercury Dealership immediately.
What Happens When You Come In To The Dealership For Battery Service?
You’ve just brought your vehicle in to the service department specifically for a problem with your battery. Now what? A Service Advisor will ask a technician to diagnose the problem.
The Service Advisor will then take you through the technician’s diagnosis, step-by-step. If it shows that your battery needs service, there’s no better place to have it done than right there at the dealership.
Once you’ve authorized the services we recommend for your vehicle, we’ll get you back on the road as quickly as possible. And you can rest easy knowing:
Batteries are designed specifically for your vehicle
Technicians have the most up-to-date electrical system training for your vehicle
Choosing The Right Battery
If your vehicle needs a new battery, the service experts at the dealership will consider these factors to make sure you’re getting a battery that’s right for you. For example, you don’t want a battery that will have trouble starting if you live in a cold weather climate. You also don’t want to overpay for cold cranking power if the area you live in is warm all year.
Consider these factors when purchasing a battery:
- Battery Group Size
- Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
- Reserve Capacity (RC)
- Battery Date Code
- Warranty
- Original equipment vs. aftermarket
- Battery Group Size
Check your owner’s guide to find the battery group sizes that will fit in your vehicle. This is the physical size of the battery, and most vehicles will allow for more than one group size.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
CCA determines how well your battery will supply ample power for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius. In general, use the number recommended by your owner’s guide or the CCA of the battery that was originally installed on your vehicle. Beware of batteries that only display hot cranking amps (HCA) or cranking amps (CA). These batteries might not be as powerful as you think and may not perform when the temperature drops.
Reserve Capacity (RC)
RC measures how many minutes the battery can supply power before falling below the minimum voltage level after the alternator has failed. In general, the higher the number, the better. This is an important factor to consider if you’ll be operating electrical equipment on your vehicle while the engine is off.
Battery Date Code
Be sure to ask the dealership for the “freshest” battery possible. A battery that’s been on the shelf for an extended period can lose some of its charge, and might not perform the first time it’s started.
If you do get a battery that’s been on the shelf for a long time, it usually regains its full potential and long-term performance by being charged in the vehicle or with an external charger.
Warranty
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealerships carry Motorcraft® batteries, Ford Motor Company’s recommended battery for your vehicle.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the warranty. Look at how long the free replacement period is, and if there is any coverage on a pro-rated basis beyond that point. Motorcraft® battery warranties are honored at all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealerships, so you don’t have to worry about being protected no matter where you are.
Motorcraft® Tested Tough® PLUS
- 18-month free replacement period*
- 84-month limited warranty*
- Economical, reliable performance
Replacement labor and towing is covered when the battery was installed at a Ford or Lincoln Mercury Dealership
Motorcraft® Tested Tough® MAX
- Authorized as original equipment replacement for all Ford Motor Company vehicles
- 36-month free replacement*
- Limited warranty for 100 months with unlimited mileage*
- Reduced charging time
Long-life alloys that provide excellent performance in high-heat applications
Replacement labor and towing is covered when the battery was installed at a Ford or Lincoln Mercury Dealership
*See your dealership for a copy of the limited warranty.
Be Ready For Temperature Changes
The best thing you can do for your battery is to have regular maintenance performed at the dealership. Every vehicle maintenance schedule includes a battery check at each interval.
You’ll help extend the life of your battery and our technicians can spot any problems before they become serious.
Check your owner’s guide for vehicle-specific information on caring for your battery.
