When asking this question it is important to first read through the warranty provided with your battery at the time of purchase. Then it is important to consider why you would jump start a new battery several times in the course of a year instead of having either the battery or alternator tested. In most cases, if a battery with such little use constantly goes flat there will be a problem with the alternator. Have your alternator tested by one of our service technician and then decide whether there is actually an issue with the battery.
If the alternator has problems producing a charge, or has poor continuity when tested, the battery is probably going flat due to lack of proper charging during operation of the car. Since the alternator is the problem, most battery manufacturers and stores will not replace the battery. It is the car owner’s responsibility to keep other parts of the car in their best working order so that the battery is maintained through normal use. Allowing the alternator to constantly charge a bad battery will also damage the alternator from overuse.
In some cases the battery warranty will not cover a battery that has gone completely flat more than once and that you have on several occasions jump started. When a potential issue is first seen with any new battery it is your responsibility to take the battery to the place of purchase to have it tested. At this time, if a defect is found in the battery, it will be quickly replaced. Also, many battery manufacturers have provisions within their warranties in which they expressly discourage jump starting the battery. In some cases, a jump start may void or limit the warranty and your ability to gain a replacement.
Although a jump start may be necessary in some cases in order to get back on the road after a breakdown, you should try to limit the usage of such a procedure. Jump starting a car can normally be performed in a way that does little to damage the battery or alternator, but if performed incorrectly can lead to damage for both items. Using a “trickle” charger or a battery charger that delivers a slower stream of electric current to gradually charge the car battery is by far a better method for both the battery and your alternator.
