A car battery lasts three to four years. If your car battery is older than this, congratulations! You got some bonus time out of the battery. This being said, it will be sooner rather than later when you end up with a dead battery, especially if you are experiencing any of the problems listed below.
Dashboard Warning
For example, if you have a battery light illuminated on the dashboard, this is your vehicle’s way of telling you that the battery needs to be replaced. This light will turn on briefly when you fire up your automobile, but it should turn off. If it stays on, you’ve got a problem.
A Cranking Engine
Another sign that it is time to replace the battery is a cranking engine. In other words, your engine will crank several times before it ignites. As you know, this is unusual. If you are having problems getting your engine started or have had to jump-start the battery lately, it’s time for a new battery.
Electrical Problems
You may also start to have electrical problems with your automobile. Specifically, the lights may be too dim and they may flicker. You may also notice that your power accessories slow down and your radio does strange things like turn off by itself. These are signs of a weak car battery.
Corroded Connectors
As your battery ages, it may also start to leak. When this happens, the battery terminals and the cable connectors will corrode. You can inspect your battery to see if you see corrosion on the terminals. If you do, drive to our shop so we can replace your leaking battery.
Rotten Egg Odors
You may also smell rotten eggs in the engine if the battery is leaking. This is because the acid inside of the battery is sulfuric acid. If you didn’t know already, sulfuric acid smells like rotten eggs. Consequently, the combination of corrosion and the rancid odor confirm that your battery is leaking.
Warped Battery Case
Finally, as the battery ages, the chemical reaction inside can go bad. When this happens, strange things happen to the battery case. For example, it can warp or bubble. It can also crack. You definitely want to replace a battery that is having problems with its chemical reaction.
We can replace your battery, so call us today to set up a service visit for your automobile. We are here to help and we would be happy to install a new battery in your car, truck, or utility vehicle.