Yes, if your car is slow to crank it could be that your battery is dying. Bring your automobile to Clark’s Car Care so we can test the battery to see if it is still holding a charge. If it isn’t, we can replace it. Aside from difficulties getting your automobile started, here are other signs that you have a bad battery underneath the hood.
Corroded Connectors
If the connectors and battery terminals are corroded, this is a sign that your battery is leaking acid. It’s important to replace a leaking battery. Not only is battery acid dangerous, but a leaking battery does not have a lot of life left in it.
Rotten Egg Odors
Another sign that your battery is leaking battery acid is rotten egg odors around the battery. The reason why you detect this odor is that the battery is filled with sulfuric acid. This acid has the distinctive odor of rotten eggs.
Dashboard Warning
You may also receive a dashboard warning if your battery is dying. Most likely, you will have a battery-shaped light that will turn on and stay on to alert you of trouble. If you do not have a battery-shaped light on your dashboard, the check engine light will turn on.
Dim Headlights/Lights
One clear sign that your battery is dying is dim headlights, interior lights, and taillights. If you are finding it difficult to see at night because your headlights aren’t as bright as they normally are, your battery is not supplying enough power to them. The problem may also lie with the alternator.
Misshapen Case
If you inspect your battery case and see that it is misshapen, replace the battery right away. A bubbling, cracked, or misshapen battery case is an indication that the chemical reaction going on inside of the battery has gone bad. Consequently, the battery can crack open and leak acid all over your engine.
Three-Years or Older
Finally, take your battery’s age into account when determining whether it needs to be replaced. Car batteries generally last three years. Once they reach this age, they are unable to hold a charge as effectively as they used to. If your battery is three years or older and you are having any of the other problems listed above, you likely need a new battery.
Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, is here to help, so call us today. Again, we’d be happy to test your battery and replacement if necessary. We can also test the alternator.