There’s no such thing as a good time for your battery to go dead. Unfortunately, your battery will eventually wear out and will fail if it’s not replaced before this happens. As your Ford dealer, we’d like to tell you some signs that you need to visit us for a new car battery.
Time for a New Car Battery? Visit Your Ford Dealer Today
Illuminated Battery Light
The battery warning light illuminates together with all the other warning lights when your engine starts and should go out in seconds. If this light remains on, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your electrical system. The battery, alternator and all other electrical system components have sensors connected to them. These sensors monitor the components for signs of trouble, and they also receive instructions from your car’s computer.
If something isn’t working correctly in the electrical system, the relevant sensor will inform your computer, and the light will illuminate. The light doesn’t highlight the exact problem, it merely warns that something is wrong. The sensors can detect minute changes in their connected components, and this gives plenty of warning that you need to visit us so we can identify and fix whatever is wrong.
Old Battery
Despite its important role, the battery has a short working life. On average, your battery will fail within three to five years under normal conditions. Its life can also be reduced by other problems in the engine, including a worn alternator or phantom drain in the electrical system. The battery’s short life is due to the chemicals that enable it to store electricity slowly breaking down, and decreasing battery capacity as they do so.
A battery test is a quick and easy way to peek into the battery and decide if it needs to be replaced. We’ll connect your battery to our battery tester, and this machine can identify any potential weaknesses. We advise scheduling a battery test in your battery’s third year, followed by annual checkups. If your battery is failing, we can replace it for you.
Damaged Battery Case
A battery contains various components, including sulfuric acid, copper plates, and an electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution allows the other parts of the battery to work effectively to store and supply electricity. It can be affected by extremely high or low temperatures over a period, and these changes will damage the battery.
Extreme conditions alter the pressure inside the battery and cause the electrolyte to expand. The battery casing prevents the electrolyte from escaping, but the internal pressure will force the battery walls to bulge. This permanently damages the battery and will cause a range of electrical problems, including starting difficulties and dim lights. If your battery is damaged, we need to replace it ASAP.
Battery problems don’t have to be stressful. Visit us today at Kory Hooks Ford in Bowie. TX.
