You really don’t need battery trouble. As busy as everyone is these days, who has time for that? At SDS Automotive we want you to be aware of what possible battery trouble might look like so that you can spot signs of problems earlier rather than later.
The Battery Is Old
Your car’s battery, like other parts and systems, doesn’t work as well when it starts to get old. Most car batteries can last up to five years, but that’s easy to forget. Not sure how old your car’s battery is? You can check the battery itself to see if there’s a date sticker on it. That can let you know how old the battery is so that you can start to make plans to replace it.
You’re Noticing a Rotten Egg Smell
Think you’re smelling rotten eggs around your car? You might not be imagining it. Car batteries contain sulfuric acid, and when that gets exposed to the air it can start to smell like rotten eggs. This can be a sign that your car’s battery has a leak somewhere, and that’s not good news at all.
Your Car Won’t Start
Probably the most obvious sign that you’ve got battery issues, and the one that is most likely to grab your attention, is when your car won’t start. This is usually a huge inconvenience and only happens when you least need to be dealing with something like this. If a jumpstart gets you running again, do not forget to have your battery tested, because it may need replacing and the problem will only get worse.
The Battery Looks Bad
If you’re making a point to check some of the systems under your car’s hood, like verifying that you’ve got enough coolant and checking your car’s oil, you might want to take just a second and make sure you pay attention to the battery, too. A quick visual inspection can tell you a lot. Specifically look for things like corrosion, a white powdery residue, around the battery posts and also that there aren’t any cracks or bulges in the battery’s outer case.
Think that there’s something wrong with your car’s battery? Give us a call at SDS Automotive in Sacramento, CA. We’ll be happy to test your car’s battery and alternator to make sure that all is well. If there is a problem, we’ll let you know exactly what your car needs in order to be running perfectly again.