Road trip to Oman next week, should I change my battery before I go?

[tobinlane]

Okay so my family and I are planning a drive to Oman next Friday, and now I cannot stop thinking about my car battery. It is a Honda Accord, and I have had it for almost three years. It has never really failed me, but the last two weeks I noticed the engine takes a little more time to start when the car sits in the sun at the office parking. My husband says I worry too much and the battery is fine because the car still starts every time. I do not like that thinking. Still starting is not the same as being strong, right? The road is long, we will have the kids with us, and I really do not want to be stuck somewhere on the highway with the car heat going up and nobody around. A friend at work told me to read about Amaron Car Battery UAE because her brother put one in his Nissan and said it was good in summer, but I do not know much about batteries, so I am trying to understand things first before choosing anything. What I want to ask is simple. How do you know when it is time to change a battery and not just wait until it dies? Is three years too old here, or can it go four or five? Someone told me a shop can do a free check in a few minutes, but I do not know if that check is really honest or if they just say it is weak so you buy a new one. Also, if I change it just before the trip, is there any problem with a brand new battery on a long drive, or is that actually better? I am also thinking about cost. I do not mind paying a bit more if it means no stress, but I do not want to throw money away if the old one still has months left. My sister in law said to carry a small jump start box in the trunk and not worry, but I feel that is like carrying an umbrella instead of fixing the roof. Maybe I am wrong, I am not sure. Another thing, we usually leave the car with the AC running while we stop for snacks, and I wonder if that is bad for the battery. Has anyone here done a long drive right after changing the battery, and did everything go fine? And what small things should I check besides the battery, like the cables or the water, before leaving? Please tell me in simple words, I am not a car person at all. I just want my family to reach there safe and come back without any surprise. Thank you, I will read all your replies tonight after the kids sleep.