When You Start Your Car, Silence Can Be Horrifying To Hear

It’s essential to act immediately if you suspect your car battery is losing power. An obvious sign is if you have needed to jump your battery more often. There are a few other warning signs of a dying battery such as:

• It smells like rotten eggs under your hood. Your battery could be venting gas due to being damaged. If this is the case, schedule an appointment at your local AAMCO Colorado immediately for a free Vehicle Courtesy Check, as a sulfuric acid leak from your battery could be damaging other engine parts.
• The engine takes longer or more attempts to get started. This could be the starter or a sign that the battery is losing power.
• The check engine light is flashing or won’t go off.
• The battery looks like it ate too much at that all-you-can-eat buffet and looks misshapen, swollen or plump. Excessive cold or heat can spark a chemical reaction in the battery causing irreparable damage and needs to be replaced immediately.

How Can You Test Your Car Battery At Home With No Equipment?

Avoid even leaving your driveway; we’ll show you how to conduct a quick battery check from home with these three simple steps. Keeping your battery in good health will keep your car’s alternator from overexerting itself and failing.

2. Check Your Battery For Corrosion

Corrosion on your car’s battery could indicate a power problem as well as lead to other serious problems if the acid begins leaking onto other components. Over time, that corrosion, caused when acid within the battery releases hydrogen gas, might interfere with the battery terminals’ ability to transfer power. The battery has to work harder to compensate, and that extra work can shorten its life.

You can clean the battery terminals (carefully!) with household items like baking soda and an old toothbrush. If your battery has been suffering from corrosion for a long time, however, the damage may be irreversible. In that case, it’s time to replace.

A Local Auto Repair Expert Can Help!

Nothing lasts forever, including your car battery. If all signs, or even just a few, are pointing towards battery failure, don’t wait until you’re stranded to replace your battery. Stop by your local Colorado auto repair center and we will help you get your car back into tip top shape!