Your car battery is essential to start your car, and when your car is parked it maintains power to the alarm system, door lights, and other electrical peripherals. Modern car batteries last longer, but they will eventually wear out and no longer be able to be recharged. As your GMC dealer in Kerrville, TX, we’d like you to the signs that you may need a new car battery before the old one fails.
Takes Longer to Crank the Engine
Your battery is responsible for providing the power to start your engine. If your battery is good, your engine should crank and start as soon as you turn the key. If there is a delay in cranking this can be the sign of a dying battery, but it could as be a sign of a worn alternator. Your battery has a finite life, and on average it will need to be replaced every 3-5 years.
As the battery ages, it becomes more difficult to recharge it and it also no longer charges to its full capacity. If your battery is at least five years old, it may not be able to maintain sufficient charge to crank your engine immediately. The battery may need several attempts to build up enough charge to crank your engine. Our technicians can easily test your battery and recommend a choice of replacement batteries if it is necessary.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is a great warning sign that something is wrong with your car. Numerous sensors are attached to your car’s vital components to monitor them, and the sensors detect subtle changes that you may not immediately be aware of. When a change is detected by one of the sensors, the check engine light will light up.
The check engine light doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a battery problem, but we advise contacting our service department so we can find and repair the source of the problem.
An Old Battery
As mentioned above, the average life of a battery is 3-5 years. Environmental factors and driving habits can also play a part in reducing battery life. The alternator charges the battery, but as a battery ages, it becomes more difficult to recharge. An old battery will also lose its ability to fully charge to its original level as it starts to degrade.
We advise that your battery be tested at least every three years to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Our technicians will also be able to check the battery for any damage or signs of wear that could cause a potential problem at a later date.
A dead battery can leave you stranded on the side of the highway with no help available. If you are in the Kerrville area, we want to make sure that never happens to you. If you experience any problems with your battery, call our service department right away at Crenwelge Motor
