If your battery is over three years old, it’s wise to watch out for the following indications of battery trouble, and if you suspect that yours is dying, head to your local CDJR dealer for a new car battery before you end up stranded somewhere unable to start your car.
Trouble Starting the Engine
The biggest inconvenience caused by a failing battery is typically when the engine refuses to start in the morning. If your battery can no longer store or conduct enough voltage to power the starter and spark plugs, you’ll need to jumpstart your car. If this happens to you more than once, it might be time to replace your battery.
Dimming or Erratic Headlights
When a car battery begins to fail, you may notice your headlights losing brightness. They might even grow brighter and dimmer erratically as the power supply fluctuates. These problems will be greater when the engine’s turned off and the battery doesn’t have the alternator to help it deliver power to the headlights.
Electronics Malfunctioning
A failing battery will cause multiple electronic components to slow down or stop working. Modern vehicles usually have a prioritization system when it comes to failing electrical supply. This means that the less important components, such as the stereo, heated seats, and phone charger, will lose power before the more essential parts, such as the dashboard, spark plugs, and headlights.
Battery Warning Light
If your battery is faltering, a battery-shaped light might appear on your dashboard. Hopefully, this warning light will give you time to reach a technician before your battery stops working altogether.
Warped or Leaking Battery Casing
If you pop the hood to inspect your battery, you may see clear signs of damage or corrosion. Battery casing can sometimes start to warp out of shape when the battery ages or becomes damaged. Sometimes, a battery will even crack open, leaking battery acid, which has a pungent smell. Any such clear signs of damage mean the battery has to go.
Corroded Battery Terminals
The metal terminals at the top of a battery need to be clean and clear of corrosion to conduct electricity efficiently. If corrosion has started to build up significantly on your battery’s terminals, the entire battery may need to be replaced.
Have Your Battery Tested at Your Local CDJR Dealer
You can ask a trusted technician at your local dealership to test your battery and confirm whether or not it’s starting to fail. They’ll use a multimeter or similar tool to check the battery’s voltage. They may also see how well it handles delivering power to multiple electrical accessories at once.
Have your battery checked and changed today at Fury Motors St Paul CDJR. We’re a full-service local dealership offering top-notch cars, deals, and customer service.
