Q&A: When do I need to get my car's battery replaced?

 

 

All batteries wear out and need to be replaced – but some are replaced before their time.

Look, if your battery is dying and you need a jump-start, it could very well be that you have a bad battery. But drivers should have Petty Motorworks test the battery first to see if it's actually bad. The problem could be parasitic drain or a bad alternator that's not properly charging your battery.

And drivers in this situation also need to have their service advisor check their alternator and have it tested. A surprisingly high percentage of “bad” alternators brought into Petty Motorworks are actually just fine: the problem is a worn serpentine belt and/or belt tensioner. If the belt is slipping, it's not spinning the alternator properly so it can't fully charge the battery.

Hopefully, you can see that a dead battery can be the result of a chain of events: a worn serpentine belt, a worn belt tensioner, a bad alternator or a bad battery. If you don't check the belt, tensioner and alternator, you can just end up replacing batteries that are still good. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Petty Motorworks.

That brings us back full circle to when batteries do fail. There's a chemical cycle that takes place inside your battery: the battery is discharged when you start the vehicle and is recharged by the alternator when you drive. Short trips around the area with frequent stops and starts may mean that your battery is never fully recharged. When a battery isn't fully charged, parts of the battery harden and are no longer available to “store” electricity. Over time, your battery just can't hold enough charge for the needs of your vehicle. This is demanding on your alternator as it tries to keep up, causing it to wear out prematurely.

Batteries last longer in colder climates and wear out faster in warmer climates. We want to remind drivers that, on average, 70% of batteries fail within four years. Many NJ automotive experts recommend replacing your battery every five years. This will reduce the chances of being stranded on a local street with a dead battery as well as prevent undue wear on your alternator.

Stop by Petty Motorworks on National Battery Day (February 18th 2026) for a free battery check. We are here to from 9-5, closed for lunch between 12-1. 

 

Petty Motorworks LLC
462 ROUTE 9
WARETOWN, NJ 08758
(609) 339-2939
www.pettymotorworks.com

 

Auto Repair Ethics

 

     Automotive Ethics  

    We're going to be talking about the ethics of automotive repair. Unfortunately, every profession has some bad actors that hurt the reputation of everyone else. It's no different in our area.

 

    In the automotive world, industry associations and NJ professional licensing organizations are very committed to high ethical standards.Yet some people are still uncomfortable with automotive service and repair.

 

    If we understand what's recommended and the benefits of taking care of the work – and the pitfalls of putting it off – we'll have more trust in the recommendation. So communication is key. It's like going to the doctor. If she's using medical jargon and takes a lot of basic medical knowledge for granted, we have a hard time following her train of thought. We understand It can be like that with your service advisor at Petty Motorworks, too. He's so familiar with all things automotive, he may forget you don't know a PCV from an EGT.

 

    If you don't understand what your doctor's talking about: ask some questions. If you don't understand what your automotive advisor at Petty Motorworks is talking about: ask some questions.

 

    Let's go back to those ethical standards. When we hear a repair recommendation, we always ask ourselves, "Is this really necessary?" Well, here's the industry standard:

 

If one of our auto technicians tells you that a repair or replacement is required, it must meet one of the following criteria:

1. The part no longer performs its intended purpose

2. The part does not meet a design specification

3. The part is missing

 

    For example, it you take your car in for a grinding noise when you step on the brakes, you may just think you need new brake pads. After the inspection, the technician says that you have a cracked rotor and need to replace it. If you tried to get him to just put new pads on, he would say that if you didn't want to replace the rotor, he would ethically have to refuse the repair. To just put pads on a cracked rotor would have been very wrong. The brakes could've failed at anytime: they needed to be repaired – not just have a band-aid slapped on them.

 

Now, looking at something not so serious, Petty Motorworks may suggest repair or replacement:

1. If the part is close to the end of its useful life – just above discard specifications or likely to fail soon

2. To address a customer need or request – like for better ride or increased performance

3. To comply with maintenance recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer

4. Based on the technician's informed experience

 

    Of course, Petty Motorworks has the burden of making ethical recommendations and properly educating their customers. For the customer, if you are uncomfortable with a recommendation, ask some questions. More information is always a good thing.

 

Petty Motorworks LLC
462 ROUTE 9
WARETOWN, NJ 08758

 

 

 

 

 

We encountered a strange hopping noise in this Chrysler...and got an adorable surprise.

 

Winter Car Care Checklist

 

Things to Watch Out for in Winter (featuring my beloved old shop dog, Rudy)

 

No doubt about it, winter driving in cold climates presents challenges that warmer weather doesn't. So here are a few things to pay attention to when it comes to your vehicle and winter.

 

 1. Coolant levels. We think of coolant as anti-freeze in winter, but what that liquid in the radiator does is cool down your heat-generating engine. It's important that your coolant doesn't freeze in sub-freezing temperatures, so make sure you have your coolant levels checked and that you have the correct water/coolant mix. By the way, the "coolant" is also responsible for transferring heat from your engine to warm the cabin.

 

2. Windshield wipers and washer fluid. You have to be able to clear your windshield so you can see things in inclement weather. Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is filled with fluid that is designed to stay liquid in frigid weather and won't freeze on contact with the glass. Special winter wiper blades can also help you see.

 

3. Tire pressure and tread. When the temperatures plummet, so does the air pressure in your tires. Make sure they are inflated properly to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. You also need enough tread, so have the depth checked to make sure it meets the manufacturer's specifications as well as any local regulations.

 

4. Proper engine oil. You've probably seen those numbers on the side of engine oil containers but maybe didn't know what they meant. The manufacturer has specified oil characteristics for your vehicle: the correct oil will protect your engine in cold conditions – using the wrong oil specifications can result in engine damage.

 

One of our Service Advisors will be able to help suggest options for each of these four winter driving checklist items. The better prepared your vehicle is to deal with the snow and cold, the better your vehicle will run and the safer you and your family will be.

 

Tom Petty 

Petty Motorworks LLC

462 ROUTE 9

WARETOWN, NJ 08758

 

Winter Happenings at Petty Motorworks

 

 

Petty Motorworks Family,

 Happy holidays! This season always brings to the forefront our gratitude for the family we have built at Petty Motorworks. We are extremely grateful for our privilege in serving you with trust and honesty. As a way of giving back, we have a few deals and events we want to inform you about:

New Year Giveaway 

All new and existing customers are welcome to fill out a ticket at the front desk- no purchase necessary. Winners will be drawn by random selection on January 1st, 2026. Visit our Facebook page for more information.

Gift Certificates are Now Available
 

Gift peace of mind to your loved ones with our Petty Motorworks Gift Certificates

 We are now offering $100 gift certificates, applicable to purchases at Petty Motorworks. Ask the front desk for purchase.

 

 

 

Waretown Holiday Light Spectacular 

December 12th-20th from 6-9:30PM at Corliss Park Lake! We love attending the drive-thru Holiday Light Spectacular each year. The $20 admission goes to the Waretown Volunteer Fire Co. A perfect experience for adults and children of all ages. Follow this link for more information.

This Month Only

Free alignment with a purchase of four tires and our tire protection package.

Now until the end of the year, we are offering a free alignment with the purchase of four tires and our tire protection package. All major brands. Protection package includes:

- Free tire rotations for life of tire

- Free tire repairs

- Prorated tire replacement in the event a repair cannot be made

Tires must be serviced at Petty Motorworks LLC.

 

Did you know we have a customer loyalty program? 

 

 Earn 3% on future sales with our customer loyalty program. This is money in your pocket that adds up quickly! Sign up here.

 

What does it mean when my tire pressure light is blinking?

"What does it mean when my tire pressure light is blinking?" is a common question we get at Petty Motorworks. Most modern vehicle are equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS for short) and the tire pressure light is normally on because the vehicle has low pressure in one or more tires.   

When the light is flashing, usually when the vehicle is first started, it indicates a fault in the system.  Most commonly this is related to a failed sensor.  Each sensor has an non-serviceable battery and has a limited lifespan. Usually tire pressure sensors last for about 100,000 miles or 10 years but this may vary.  

In summary:

TPMS light is on steady - Check Tire Pressures before driving and stop into Petty Motorworks in Waretown and we will set your tire pressures for you. You may even have a Leaking Tire and may need a Tire Repair Near Me.

TPMS light is flashing - Check Tire Pressures before driving and call Petty Motorworks at 609-339-2939 and ask one of our helpful staff members to set up a reservation for testing. 

Thanksgiving Travel

 

A smooth Thanksgiving journey, which is only a month away, starts with a well-maintained vehicle. Every Holiday we try to accommodate all of our customer who are preparing to travel but often people wait too long and there are no appointments available.  Please don't wait to make your appointment. If you are reading this after hours click here and we will help you set up an appointment. 

Considerations:

• Schedule a Pre-Trip Inspection: Our awesome team here at Petty Motorworks can identify potential problems and address them before your trip.
• Plan for Winter Weather: If you're traveling to colder regions, ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires, antifreeze, and a scraper.

Essential Checks which are part of our "Courtesy Digital Vehicle Inspection":

• Tires:
  • Check tire pressure (cold, before driving).
  • Inspect for wear, uneven tread, or damage.
  • Rotate and Balance tires as needed.
• Fluids:
  • Check engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid levels.
  • Replace fluids at the scheduled intervals.
• Belts and Hoses:
  • Inspect for cracks, wear, or fraying.
• Lights:
  • Test all lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights.
• Battery:
  • Have it tested to ensure it can handle the cold weather and long drive.
• Windshield Wipers:
  • Replace blades if they're streaking or worn.
• Emergency Kit:
  • Stock your kit with essential items like jumper cables, a flashlight, first aid supplies, and a spare tire. One thing that can really be a life saver is a tire inflator.  Here is a link to Amazon that shows all of the choices available.

By following this checklist, you can significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns and enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving journey. Happy travels!