Without a fully functioning car battery, all kinds of parts in your car will start to fail. It’s best to watch out for early signs of battery trouble and head to your local Ford dealer for a new car battery before you become stranded somewhere, unable to start your engine. Here are the most common symptoms of a dying battery to look out for.
Bulging Battery Casing
Batteries tend to last from three to five years. At the three-year mark, it’s a good idea to start visually inspecting your battery every now and then for signs of damage.
Excessive road vibrations or extremely cold temperatures can sometimes cause a battery’s casing to warp or crack. If you find any cracks or bulges, you’ll need to replace the whole battery.
Bad Smells from the Battery
The sulfuric acid inside a car battery can cause damage to your car and even create a fire hazard if it ever leaks. Leaking battery acid emits a very strong, sulfury smell not dissimilar to that of rotting eggs. If you ever detect this smell inside your cabin, check your battery at once. If you find a leak, you’ll need to get rid of the battery.
Corroded Battery Terminals
The metal terminals at the top of a car battery are essential for allowing the smooth flow of electrical voltage throughout your car. These terminals need to be kept clean and free of corrosion. If you ever see white or green corrosion on the terminals, you can attempt to clean it, but excessive corrosion usually spells the end of the battery’s ability to function.
Engine Struggles To Start
A dying battery will struggle to deliver the charge of power required to start your car’s engine in the morning. So if your engine is slower to start than it used to be, the battery may need to go.
Engine Refuses To Start
Eventually, an aging or damaged battery will fail to start your car at all. If you find yourself jump-starting your car, and the alternator is working well, then your battery may have bitten the dust. If you’re still not sure, a few more frustrating mornings of having to jump-start your car will confirm that your battery has indeed died.
Electrical Components Faltering
Once a car’s engine and alternator are turned off, the battery is the sole source of electrical power. So if various of your car’s electrical components start to behave strangely or slowly, your battery may be having trouble either holding or delivering electrical power.
Have your car’s battery checked and replaced today at North County Ford. We’re a large local dealership offering an extensive inventory of excellent new and used Ford vehicles alongside a top-notch maintenance and service center.
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