One of the most frustrating things to deal with before a day full of work or errands is a dead car battery. This can disrupt your entire day. However, car batteries don’t last forever and will need to be replaced after a few years. Here are a few warning signs that your car battery is giving out to pay attention to before your battery dies completely.
- Slow engine starts. If your engine struggles to start when you turn your key in the ignition, don’t ignore it. This is one of the biggest warning signs of failing batteries. Slow starts are also typically accompanied by flickering lights while you turn the key, so pay attention to that sign as well.
- Strange odor from battery. Have you recently noticed a sulfuric smell coming from under your hood? If so, your battery is likely the source. Car batteries tend to produce sulfuric acid when they start to die, and in addition to emitting a foul odor, the presence of this sulfuric acid presents a fire hazard for your vehicle.
- Bulging battery case. Your car’s battery is contained in a case. As your battery becomes old or worn down, its cells can sometimes swell and burst. Before they burst, your case will likely start to bulge due to the cells’ expansion. You likely don’t inspect the internal components of your car very often, but it’s a good idea to pop open the hood every once in a while to inspect for issues like this.
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to you getting stuck when your battery dies completely. If you have any questions about the state of your car battery, call us here at Johnny’s Muffler & Auto Express and ask about our battery replacement service.