When your car needs a new battery, you can’t wait too long to get it replaced or you can end up on the side of the road with a vehicle that won’t run. This is why you need to be aware of the signs you need a new car battery before it’s too late.
Your Engine Doesn’t Want to Start
This is one of the earliest signs of a failing battery. If you try to start your car and it hesitates for a second or two instead of firing right up like normal, it’s likely your battery is no longer creating the proper charge to ignite the starter. Bring your car to an authorized service center to have your battery inspected. A factory-trained technician will assess your battery’s charge and let you know if you need a replacement.
Your Headlights Flicker or Become Dim
Since your headlights run off the battery, if you notice they start flickering or are dimmer than usual, it’s possible that your battery is not providing enough charge to run all the electronic components in your car. You could also notice that your cabin lights flicker or don’t turn on at all, since your battery will direct its charge toward keeping your vehicle running rather than your lights if it’s struggling to power everything.
You Smell a Foul Odor
Your battery has a variety of internal components that keep it operating as it should. However, if there’s an internal short or the battery becomes damaged in some way, the battery’s gas can begin to leak. This gas has the recognizable odor of rotten eggs, so if you smell this odor when you lift your car’s hood, you need to get your battery checked out right away. It will probably need to be replaced since damaged batteries can be dangerous.
Your Battery’s Case Is an Odd Shape
Your battery should be a rectangular prism, but extreme heat and cold can cause it to swell and contract, which can then lead to cracking or bulging. What you see on the outside is an indication of what’s happening on the inside. If your battery is any shape other than rectangular, there’s probably some internal damage as well, which could be causing the battery to malfunction. Have any misshapen battery replaced right away.
Your Battery’s Connectors Are Corroded
The connectors on your battery can easily become corroded since the terminals are bare metal. If you see a white, flaky substance on the top of your battery near the metal components, you need to have them cleaned. Corrosion can interfere with the volts your battery generates. You may not need to replace your battery if it’s corroded, but you should have it inspected anyway just to make sure no permanent damage has been done.
Your Check Engine Light Comes On
While your check engine light could mean that any number of things are wrong with your car, it can also come on if your battery is running out of power. Have your car inspected by an authorized technician to determine the cause of the light and replace your battery if necessary.
Schedule Your Car Battery Replacements in Frederick, MD
Your car simply won’t run if the battery dies, and it could be unsafe. Pay attention to the above-mentioned signs to make sure you don’t end up with a battery that doesn’t work correctly. Do you need to get Kia battery services, or another type of vehicle? Contact DARCARS Kia of Frederick to schedule an appointment to have your car serviced and your battery checked.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.