You may start to have problems with your car battery after three years. This is the average lifespan of a vehicle battery. Bring your SUV, car, or truck to our shop so we can remove the old battery and replace it with the new one. The problems listed below are signs that you need a new battery.
Warning Light
The engine control module may turn on the battery light and leave it illuminated if the battery is dying. Unfortunately, this is a sign that you got a problem with the battery or the alternator. Again, in the case of the battery, you can expect to get three years of service out of it. In the case of the alternator, you can expect to get approximately 100,000 miles out of the factory alternator.
Hard Starts
Another thing that is going to happen with the car battery is it will be difficult to get your automobile started if the battery is going bad. Unfortunately, if the battery has discharged completely, you will not be able to get the vehicle started at all. In most cases, your engine will crank several times before it fires up. Head straight to our shop if this happens before your automobile starts.
Dim Lights
Both the battery and alternator provide power for your vehicle’s lights and power accessories. If you notice that the lights are dimmer than they normally are, or if they are flickering, this is a sign that the battery is not producing enough power. Unfortunately, you may also have problems with your power accessories such as the seats, windows, and center console.
Corrosion
A leaking battery will get corroded, especially on the terminals and cable connectors. There is no way to repair a leaking battery. Unfortunately, once the battery starts to leak its acid and water, it will need to be replaced. One way you can tell whether the battery is leaking is to see if you can smell rotten egg odors. This is the odor of the sulfuric acid inside the battery.
Warped Case
Finally, your battery case may warp, bubble, or crack if the battery is having problems with the chemical reaction inside of it. The battery acid and lead plates create a chemical reaction that turns into energy. If the reaction has gone bad, the battery case may show the signs.
We are here to help, so call us today to schedule a service visit for your automobile if you are having problems with the battery.