Does Your Vehicle Need a New Car Battery?

If you’re wondering whether or not to replace your battery, you might have experienced the frustration of not being able to start your car one morning. Car batteries usually last three or four years and rarely more than five years. If you notice the following signs of trouble, it might be time to visit your local dealer for a new car battery.

Your Battery Refuses to Charge

While your car’s running, the alternator uses the engine’s power to recharge your battery. If you find that your battery is no longer charging properly, it’s probably on its last legs.
Charging problems might also indicate a problem with your alternator. A bad alternator will also fail to supply adequate electrical power to your other car parts, including the engine’s ignition coils. If these components function well while the engine’s running but falter when you turn the engine off, then the fault most likely lies with your battery.

You Can’t Start Your Car (Multiple Times)

If you can’t start your car in the morning, you probably have a dead battery. A dead battery might mean that it failed to charge during your last drive. It might also have been drained by you leaving an accessory on all night, such as the headlamps or radio.
Once you’ve jump-started your car, if both the alternator and battery are fine, you shouldn’t have any more problems. But if you find yourself unable to start your car multiple times, then your battery is probably ready to be replaced.

Your Headlamps Lose Brightness

Perhaps the most noticeable sign of a failing battery is dimming headlamps. With the engine running, the alternator should keep your headlamps at maximum brightness.
Turn off the engine and see if the brightness dims dramatically. This would indicate the battery has a fraction of its proper power and is too old to either recharge properly or transmit electrical power effectively.

Your Accessories Fail When the Engine’s Off

You can apply the same headlamp test to any of your electric accessories. These include your air conditioning, radio, dashboard lights, power steering, automatic windows, windshield wipers, and more. If any of these parts struggle to perform when the car’s not running, and you’re sure that your alternator’s fine, then your battery is probably close to giving up the ghost.

Ask Your Dealer to Check Your Electrics

Modern vehicles have a sophisticated interconnection of mechanical and electrical parts. Because of this complexity, electrical problems have many possible causes besides a failing battery.
These potential causes include issues with wiring, sensors, and fuses. So if you suspect a dying battery, it’s best to have a professional at your local dealership take a look, just to be sure.

Visit Hutch Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today to have your battery tested or replaced. We’re a well-established local dealership with great vehicles and great customer service.

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