There are 10 days left – 10 days to bring your car into a NAPA AutoCare Center, such as Performance Unlimited in Ringwood, for a rebate on electrical components – NAPA battery,, alternator or starter. The offer is extremely timely in a general sense as, with autumn and winter pending, you’ll probably want to have your charging system checked anyhow.

Checking your charging system before winter arrives is a great way to avoid those nasty situations where the cold is too much for your car and it won’t start. All three of these components can have that effect on a car. If the battery doesn’t have sufficient juice for the job it won’t turn the starter. If the starter is faulty, it may demand more juice than even a good battery can offer.

The alternator is what puts the juice in the battery to begin with. More than that, the alternator also provides the electrical current necessary to keep the car running. Suppose the alternator works but doesn’t quite work hard enough. You’re driving along thinking everything is great but not realizing that, with the alternator underperforming, the battery is carrying some of the load after starting the car.

Now the battery is losing its charge. Before long, you start to notice that the headlights are growing dim. Then, you pull to a stop sign and it happens – the car dies.

That isn’t any fun on a good day. On a bitter-cold-winter day, it’s potentially dangerous. Where are you when the car dies? Is someone around you can trust to help? Is your cell phone charged and does it have reception? The wrong set of circumstances could turn an inconvenience into a hazardous situation.

The gist of all this is that it’s a good idea to have your charging and starting system checked before winter rolls in. And, with another 10 days left, why not have them checked now so you can take advantage of the discounts should you need a battery, starter or alternator. The discounts are good for $5 to $25, depending on the cost of the component you require.