All car batteries eventually die. It’s just a matter of when. If your car has been starting slowly or not at all, there’s a good chance that you have a bad car battery. Many people ignore the warning signs, but this can be very dangerous.
If you’re not sure how to tell if your car battery is failing, read on.
Battery Emits an Unbearable Smell
One of the most transparent signs your battery is failing is if it emits a disgusting smell. If you notice a nauseating stench, the sulfuric acid inside your battery is likely breaking down. This can cause rust and harm to the internal components of your battery. If your car smells like rotten eggs, this is a good indication that the battery needs to be replaced.
If you ignore the smell, it may eventually cause severe damage to other parts of your car. This can result in expensive repairs and cost you thousands of dollars over time. The best thing you can do is take action now.
Corroded Terminals and Cables
If you look at your battery terminals, they may have corrosion on them. This is caused by the natural chemical reaction when acid and metal meet, and it can prevent electrical current from flowing freely.
You might also see this corrosion on the battery cables – if it’s really bad, you might even need to replace the cables. This can happen when acid leaks out of the battery, which signifies that it’s nearing its end-of-life stage.
As you may have guessed, corroded terminals and cables are one more reason why your car won’t start – without good electrical contact between the battery and the starter, your vehicle won’t be able to start.
This issue can usually be resolved by cleaning off the corrosion with baking soda and water (mix two tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water). Using an old toothbrush or wire brush, scrub off as much corrosion as you can, then rinse the area clean.
Dim Headlights
If your car battery starts to fail, you might notice that the headlights are becoming increasingly dim. When the battery has less power, it can’t supply as much energy to the headlights. When a car battery is in good shape, its cells will hold enough electrical current to power the headlights and other accessories.
If you’re driving at night and your headlights start to get noticeably dimmer, it could be a sign that it’s time to replace the car battery.
Your Battery is Old
A car battery has a lifespan of three to five years on average, depending on how well you take care of it. The longer you drive with an older battery, the higher the risk that it will fail while you’re out on the road.
To avoid getting stranded on the road, bring your car to our dealership service center for battery testing and replacement.
Our certified car technicians at Cutter Buick GMC, serving Waipahu, HI, offer high-quality services at affordable rates, and you’ll be back in your car very soon.
Schedule an appointment now! now.
Connect with us
