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.
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.
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