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Battery problems are something that every driver dreads. If your battery fails, the only way to get your car started is to jump-start it until the cause of the failure is identified and fixed. Fortunately, your GMC dealership in Tampa is here to help. These are a few signs that it could be time to visit us for a new car battery. more Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your GMC Dealership Corroded Terminals Corroded terminals are a sure sign of a battery that's on its way out. If you pop the hood and notice a white, green, or gray residue around one or both of the terminals, it's time to visit us for a replacement battery. The corrosion is caused by an acidic salt formed by hydrogen sulfide. This chemical isn't naturally present in your engine, it forms only when a battery is failing. Sulfuric acid is one of the components of a battery. The chemical reactions inside the battery slowly cause sulfuric acid to break down, and the acid releases hydrogen as part of this process. The hydrogen molecules escape the confines of the battery and combine with sulfur to form hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is drawn to the battery terminals and will start to destroy them. Our technicians will need to replace your battery. Swollen Battery If you look at your battery, it should be rectangular with straight, uniform sides. If your battery shows signs of swelling on one or more sides, your battery is failing. This swelling is caused by increased pressure from the chemicals inside the battery casing. As we've seen, a battery contains sulfuric acid, other chemicals, and an electrolyte solution. Extremely hot or cold temperatures will affect the chemical reactions inside the battery, and the electrolyte solution will expand. The walls of the battery prevent the solution from escaping, but the pressure inside the battery creates bulges in the battery case. We can't, unfortunately, repair a swollen battery, but we can install a new one to fix this problem. Weak Alternator Problems with your battery, like starting difficulties or dim lights, might not be caused by the battery itself. The battery stores electricity, but it doesn't produce it. The alternator is a mini generator that produces your car's electricity and recharges the battery. On average, an alternator has a working life of approximately eight years. If your alternator is old or damaged, it won't supply enough power for all your car's systems. Since the alternator recharges the battery, a reduced level of recharging will gradually cause the battery to weaken and eventually fail. We can test your alternator and replace it if it's failing. Don't let a battery problem get you down. Call the experts at Century Buick GMC.

Driving with headlights that don't work properly will make it difficult to drive in areas with low lighting or when the weather makes it difficult to see. If your headlights aren't working, you could also wind up with some legal trouble. Most states require that both your headlights be on when you're driving after dark. But how do you know if it's time to get new headlights? Here are some major signs you need to book an appointment with your GMC or Buick dealer. more How to Tell If You Should Visit Your GMC or Buick Dealer for New Headlights 1. They're Getting Dim Probably one of the most obvious signs that you should replace your headlights is if they're starting to get dim. As your headlights age, they'll begin to have a harder time producing light. But age isn't the only reason why your headlights might be dimmer than they used to be. The covers could be too dirty or scratched, in which case a good clean should solve the problem. However, if they're still dim after you've cleaned them, you should head to your dealer right away to replace them. 2. They're Flickering Your headlights are supposed to emit a steady, even amount of light. Flickering is one of the first signs that you need to replace them. You'll likely still be able to drive your vehicle for a while before they go completely, but it's better to deal with any maintenance issue sooner rather than later. A visit to your dealership will tell you if they're flickering because they're old or because there's something like a wiring issue that needs to be addressed. 3. One Has Burnt Out Only having one functioning bulb means that your sight is going to be limited, which makes driving a lot more dangerous. Plus when one bulb goes, it means that the other won't be far behind. Driving with a burnt out bulb also puts you at a high risk of being pulled over. Avoid dangerous driving situations and potential legal troubles and replace both headlights right away. 4. You Haven't Replaced The Bulbs Recently The bulbs in most headlights last for around 750 hours, and we recommend replacing them about every two years. Of course, depending on how often you drive at night, you may find it necessary to replace them more or less frequently. That said, don't wait until you start experiencing problems to replace your headlights. If it's been a few years since you last changed the bulbs, be proactive and do it now. When it comes to getting any kind of work done for your vehicle, you need to make sure you're going to the right place. If you need someone to look at your headlights, call our team at Century Buick GMC today.