What to Know About Vehicle Batteries
Understanding the basics of how your car’s electrical system and battery works is a smart idea. Nobody wants to end up with a dead battery, and knowledge can key you in about situations where it might be likely. Auto batteries can last anywhere from three to five years, but other things factor into that. Exposure to the elements and driving habits play a part in how long yours might last.
Basics of Batteries
What a car battery does is provide a jolt of electricity that powers the various electrical parts of your vehicle. When you have no battery power, your car isn’t going to start. Let’s look into how the battery actually works:
- For your car to start, the battery takes chemical energy and makes it into electrical energy. This provides voltage to your starter and allows the vehicle to power on.
- The battery also keeps the level of electrical current steady. This keeps the engine of your car running.
You may think of a battery as a small component of your car, but it has a lot of power. That’s why it’s so important that it functions correctly.
Warning Signs of Problems
There are numerous situations that might point toward an upcoming battery issue, including replacement. We’ll look at the most common:
- Check engine light – This sometimes means the power of your battery is weak. Many different indicator lights on the dashboard can point toward an issue with the battery.
- Slow engine crank – When you start the battery, you might find that it takes longer to start than it usually does. This is often accompanied by an unusual engine sound.
- Low battery fluid – Many batteries provide a casing where part of it is see-through, so you can view the fluid level. If the fluid is below the energy conductor, you need to see a technician to have it tested.
- Stinky odor – If you smell an odor of rotten eggs, this can actually be related to the battery. This happens when you have a leaking battery. This can also cause corrosion at the posts. Without removing this goo, you may not be able to start the car.
Quality Auto Batteries
Any of these problems may mean that you require a replacement battery for your car or truck. At Motor City Battery Company, we offer a massive selection of brand name batteries as affordable pricing. To learn more, you can visit our website or call us at 313-451-8471. You can also connect them on Facebook for more updates.
