A car battery gradually weakens as it ages, and this causes it to eventually fail. The battery can also be damaged by other issues in your engine. As your Buick dealer, we want you to know a few signs that you may need to visit us for a new car battery very soon.
3 Signs You May Need a New Car Battery From Your Buick Dealer
Battery Overcharging
When you start your Buick, the battery sends a large electrical charge to the starter, which then cranks your engine. The electricity used in this process is then replenished by the alternator as soon as your engine is running. A healthy alternator recharges your battery at full power for ten minutes, then switches to charging at 10% until the battery is fully charged.
If your alternator is damaged, it can damage the battery by overcharging it. Overcharging will cause the battery to overheat. The electrolyte solution will boil and damage the plates and other battery components. We’ll replace the alternator and test your battery. If your battery is also damaged, we can replace it at the same time.
Battery Drain
Sometimes, a battery drain is as simple as car lights left on overnight. They’ll continue to draw power and rapidly drain the battery, as a battery only recharges when the engine is running. If no systems have been left on, the likely cause of the situation is a parasitic drain.
A parasitic drain occurs when a system that should be switched off remains on. This type of drain usually occurs due to a damaged switch, relay, or electrical short. Our technicians will trace the flow of electricity through your car to identify the cause of the drain and then fix the fault.
Old Battery
As we’ve seen, your battery gets weaker as it ages. This weakness is caused by the way electricity is stored in the battery. Electricity is stored as chemical energy, and the chemical reactions that allow this to happen also cause the chemicals to break down. Sulfuric acid is the main chemical in your battery, and as it breaks down, your battery’s maximum charging capacity will fall.
The average lifespan of a battery is three to five years, but its life can be further reduced by damage or electrical problems. If your battery is failing, the battery warning light will illuminate. This light is a heads-up that you need to visit us ASAP so we can test your battery. If your battery is failing, we can quickly replace it for you.
If your battery shows signs it’s in trouble, visit us ASAP at Dutch Miller’s Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, so we can diagnose and repair it.
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