Are you concerned that your car battery might be failing? A dead battery can sometimes be easily fixed with a jump start. But what if it suddenly fails when you’re in a deserted area? Or in an area with extreme hot or cold temperatures? In these situations, a dead car battery is not just inconvenient, it’s unsafe.
Here are the signs to notice so that this problem doesn’t take you by surprise.
Dim Headlights (Or No Headlights)
When your battery is failing, it may have barely enough juice to power your headlights, but not enough to power the engine. For that reason, dim or flickering headlights are one of the biggest red flags that your battery may be failing, especially when paired with an engine that won’t start. Besides the obvious inconvenience, dim headlights are just not safe.
Slow Crank
Has your engine been cranking much more sluggishly than usual? If so, don’t ignore this sign. As drivers, we are all attuned to the sounds that our car makes when it starts. Any changes are a clear signal that something is wrong.
A Clicking Noise
Even worse than a slow crank, your battery might have reached the point where it won’t start the engine at all. When it gets to this phase, you may notice a strange cranking or clicking sound from under the hood when you turn the ignition. If this happens, you will probably need a jump start.
Corrosion
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t actually look at your battery very often, but it might be time to start. Corrosion is a common cause of car battery failure. Check your battery terminals for the telltale bluish powder which shows corrosion is happening. This powder coating the terminals is what makes it difficult for your battery to charge properly.
If your car battery is weak, take action now by contacting McKinney Motor Company. We can help you operate your vehicle with confidence once again.
