Most car batteries are designed to last for four to six years. But if you don’t pay attention to the health of your battery, you'll have trouble starting your car, and your engine life may get affected in the long run. Paying attention to common signs of a failing battery can alert you that it's time to replace it before your car or truck gets affected and you’re stranded on the roads in Naperville. Read on to learn how to know if your vehicle needs a new battery.
Slow-Starting Engine
If your engine takes time to start, then your battery might be reaching the end of its lifespan. As your battery starts to wear out, it will take longer to create the charge needed to start your car. If you notice that it's taking a few seconds longer for your car to start up than normal, it's time to have your battery tested.
Low Battery Fluid Level
Depending on the type of battery that your car uses, it may be fully enclosed or have translucent windows. If yours has windows, you can monitor the fluid level inside your battery. If the fluid level gets below the lead plates, it's time to bring your battery to Coffman GMC to have it professionally evaluated. In some cases, adding fluid to the battery will restore it. In other cases, it needs to be replaced.
Frozen Car Battery
Most batteries, especially in places like Naperville that get very cold in the winter, are protected from freezing down to -30°F to -50°F when fully charged. However, if your battery isn’t fully charged, it can freeze at warmer temperatures. Flooded batteries may also freeze if they are not fully charged, due to the nature of their design. If a battery is not fully charged, the sulfuric acid and distilled water inside the battery do not mix properly and the distilled water can freeze.
In this situation, your battery might be damaged and may need to be replaced. In the event that your car has been sitting in very cold temperatures for a long time and the dashboard lights won't come on, your battery may be frozen. DO NOT TRY TO JUMP-START OR CHARGE A FROZEN BATTERY!
Corrosion at the Terminals
Just as the fluid inside your battery can run low, it can also leak out. This is most commonly seen at the battery terminals. There will be white corrosion that builds up around the terminal posts. If it's a small amount of corrosion, you can easily remove it. However, if you notice a large amount of corrosion, it's generally best to consider replacing your battery.
Get Your Battery Tested
If you've noticed some of the signs above or your battery is reaching the five-year mark, it's time to get it tested. This test typically takes a couple of minutes and will tell you what the voltage of your battery is. A good battery measures up to 12.6 or more volts. If your battery measures below this, it's time to consider replacing it. Most dealerships can look up the type of battery that your car needs, or if you opt to replace it yourself, most battery retailers will have a guide that you can use.
If you need a battery inspection or a replacement, contact the professionals at Coffman GMC today! We service Naperville, IL, and the surrounding area and can’t wait to hear from you.
630-518-4217
