Car batteries tend to go bad after about three years. This is the average lifespan of a car battery. If your battery is this old or older, you may start to have one or more of the following problems. Bring your car, truck, or SUV to our shop as soon as possible so we can test the battery and replace it if this is necessary. The battery test will show us how much voltage the battery is retaining.
The Battery Light Turns On
One thing that will happen is the engine control unit will turn on the battery light on the dashboard to alert you that the battery is dying. This light will turn on when you start your automobile and remain on rather than turn off as it normally does. As an aside, this can also be an indication that the alternator is going bad and you need to replace it. This happens at around 100,000 miles.
It’s Hard to Start the Car
Another problem that can occur with a dying battery is starting difficulties. This can happen every time that you try to start your car or just once before the battery dies completely. A difficult start means the engine cranks several times before the vehicle fires up. If the battery has very little juice in it, you may not get the vehicle started at all no matter how hard you try.
You Have Light Problems
The battery also shows signs it is wearing out if your vehicle’s lights get dim. You may not notice this during the day, but you will notice it at night when you are trying to see while driving in the dark. The lights inside the vehicle will also be dimmer than normal, which can make seeing your dashboard difficult. It is also common for the lights to flicker.
The Battery Gets Corroded
If you pop the hood and see that the battery is corroded, specifically the terminals and cables, you’ve got sulfuric acid and water leaking out of the battery. This will also smell like rotten eggs. This means that the battery needs to be replaced as soon as possible because there is no way to repair the leak.
Finally, the battery case might warp if there is an issue with the chemical reaction inside the battery. This can happen when the battery gets too old. Call us today to schedule an appointment for your automobile and we will replace the old battery with a new one.