While your engine is running, the alternator supplies electricity to your systems and recharges your battery.

If your alternator checks out your battery could be weak. Not sure if your battery has the power you need? Stop by your nearby Quick Lane® for a battery inspection. It’s important for your battery to be the proper size. A lower rated battery can cause numerous issues such as security system failure, shorter battery life and other electrical issues. When your vehicle needs a new one, we use quality Motorcraft® batteries that are right for your vehicle.

Excessive corrosion around the battery terminals or cables

Bulging or deformity of the battery casing

Difficulty starting your engine

Consistent electrical system problems

During the battery test, you can ask your Quick Lane expert for a full vehicle checkup report to help you monitor your vehicle systems. It's a great way to keep up on all your vehicle maintenance needs.

If you have to jump start your battery, it’s an inconvenience, but all you need is a little help from your friends. If you’d rather not call a tow truck and you have a willing helper, here’s how to get some life back into your battery. Pay close attention to the connection order. It’s one of the most common and overlooked causes for unsuccessful jump starts.

Step-by-step guide

You’ll need jumper cables. If you don’t have any in your vehicle, make sure your helper brings them. Have your helper park close enough to your vehicle, allowing you to connect the jumper cables to the batteries with plenty of slack. Most cables are about six feet long. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle battery location and terminal placement.

• Open both vehicle hoods and locate the batteries.
• Remove any terminal covers and corrosion.
• Attach the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive (red) terminal of the dead battery. Make sure both metal clamps are firmly in contact with the terminal.
• Attach the other end of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive (red) terminal of the assisting battery.
• Attach the negative (black) jumper cable to the negative (black) terminal of the assisting battery.
• Attach the other end of the negative (black) jumper cable to an exposed metal part of the disabled vehicle's engine, away from the battery and the carburetor/fuel-injection system.
• Start the assisting vehicle's engine.
• Start the disabled vehicle's engine.
• Allow both vehicles to run connected for about three minutes.
• Leave the jump-started vehicle running and disconnect the cables in the reverse order that they were attached and close the hoods.
• Keep the jump-started vehicle's engine running for about a half hour to allow the battery to fully charge.

You want to clearly see what’s ahead of you. And be able to communicate with drivers behind you. That’s why it’s so important to replace a burned-out lamp or bulb ASAP. Visit Rusty Eck Ford Quick Lane,® and our experts can quickly replace your headlamp, taillamp or any of your interior cabin bulbs. We have the replacements on hand that are right for your vehicle. You can also get a vehicle checkup report while you're there to help you monitor all your vehicle maintenance needs.