Battery issues are a bigger deal than you might realize, simply because without the battery your car isn’t doing much else. Keeping your battery in good shape isn’t tough, and it helps to know what it looks like when your battery isn’t doing well. Del Hatt Automotive lists five signs your vehicle’s battery is dying below. If you know the signs, you can do something about it sooner rather than later.
Your Car Starts Slowly or Not at All
Cars are equipped with a battery and an alternator. Once the car is running, the alternator ensures that the car has the power it needs, but to start up, your car relies on juice from the battery. If your battery is low or if it’s drained completely, then it’s going to be tough to get your car started.
Your Battery Dashboard Light Turns On
When the battery light on your dashboard lights up, that’s your cue to get your battery checked as soon as possible. This dashboard warning light is in the shape of a car battery, and it should only light up on two occasions: when you first start your car and when the battery is in trouble.
The Battery Is Old
If your battery is older than three or four years old, it’s likely time to replace it. Batteries have a limited lifespan, even if you’re taking the best care of them that you possibly can. If you don’t know the age of your battery, look at the sticker on the case. The two numbers, e.g. 10/17, mean your battery was manufactured in October of 2017.
You See a Swollen or Cracked Battery Case
It’s always a good idea to check your battery regularly for signs of corrosion around the connectors, but there’s something else to watch for, too. Check the exterior of the battery and if you notice that the case is cracked or the battery is swollen or bowed outward at all, you need a new one. These are all signs that the battery is not in good shape.
You’re Smelling Rotten Eggs
This one might be a little rarer, but how your car smells can often give you a clue about what’s going on with it. If you’re smelling sulfur, or a rotten egg smell, then you may have something going on with your battery. The sulfur smell comes from the battery itself, because of the sulfuric acid inside.
Battery problems can leave you stranded, so get in touch with Del Hatt Automotive in Poughkeepsie, NY. We can test your battery for you and get a new one installed if necessary.