Two Signs It May Be Time for a New Car Battery

Your car battery’s most important function is to provide the power to start your car. When you turn the key or press the button, your battery sends a very strong electrical charge to the solenoid in the starter to crank your engine. Your engine should start almost immediately after the charge is sent. If it doesn’t start or takes time for your engine to crank, you may need a new car battery. In Howell, MI, your Ford dealer can quickly and easily replace your battery.

Damaged Battery Case

The contents of your battery are protected by a strong plastic casing. The metal plates, chemicals, and other components necessary to store and provide electricity have to be protected. Dust in the air and other contamination can easily damage these very delicate parts. The casing slightly weakens over time due, in part, to contain the chemical reactions that take place inside it. Extreme hot and cold temperature, however, is the main cause of damage to the battery’s case.

Under normal weather conditions, the casing will expand and contract, but without any significant changes. Extremes of temperature cause the casing to expand and contract but in a far more extreme way. It’s easy to check your battery. If you examine it and the case shows any form of deformity, your battery is damaged. It may continue to work for a while, but it will fail. We advise contacting our service department to replace your battery ASAP.

Slow Cranking Engine

As we’ve seen, your battery provides the charge to start your engine. The charge needed uses a large part of your battery’s available power. Normally, this battery drain is easily and quickly replaced. Your alternator begins recharging your battery as soon as your engine is running. Your alternator has a relatively long life. After approximately eight years, however, the alternator will show signs of failing. A failing alternator can’t provide all the electrical power your car demands.

A weak alternator will provide less power to recharge your battery. This means that the large charge used to start your engine can’t be fully replaced. The longer this situation continues, the weaker your battery will become. If you find that it takes several minutes for your engine to crank and start, the problem may be caused by a dying battery. The problem could also be a failing alternator. Our technicians will examine the alternator and the battery and replace whichever part is damaged.

A failing battery can very easily leave you stranded on the drive or worse on the open road. Batteries do show signs that they’re failing, so it’s very important to be aware of any strange behavior. If you’re concerned about your battery or you’d like to have it tested, call our service department right away at Bob Maxey Ford – Howell. Our expert technicians have the training and technology available to speedily repair or replace your battery.

Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay

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