There are a few warning indicators that can suggest that the battery in your vehicle needs to be checked out or possibly replaced. If the “Check Engine” warning light in your dashboard has illuminated, this may point to an issue with your vehicle’s battery. Always remember to keep a close eye on the battery in your vehicle, you don’t want to find yourself stranded in the sweltering heat of summer or the bone-chilling cold of winter because your car won’t start.

Signals of Danger Your Vehicle’s Battery Is on Its Last Legs 

Slow Engine Start – Have you noticed that when you turn the key in your ignition, it takes longer for the engine to start? Over time, the components that make up your car’s battery may deteriorate. If they do, the battery will be less effective, and it will take a few seconds longer to build up a charge that is sufficient to start the engine. This warning is one of the very final signals that your battery has a very small amount of life left in it. 

Dull and flickering Lights – All of the lights and electronic components in your vehicle are powered by the battery. If your battery is getting low on power, it will have a harder time powering all these components at their maximum capacity. As a consequence of this, they may become less bright or begin to flicker, which is an indication that the battery in your vehicle is declining quickly. 

Distinct odor – When you open the hood of your car, you may notice a distinct odor similar to that of rotten eggs. This odor may indicate that your battery has been damaged or that there is a short circuit within the vehicle. Taking action on this matter as soon as possible is highly recommended. 

Corrosion and Other Visual Signs — If the connectors on your battery are corroded, it can lead to voltage issues, which will damage all the electrical components in your vehicle. Corrosion is also one of the most obvious signs that something is wrong with your battery. In a similar vein, if the shape of the battery itself is warped, there is a high likelihood that it is not functioning correctly. The dramatic highs and lows in temperature that the southern climate experiences cause the batteries to expand and sometimes even shatter. 

If you have seen any of these warning indications that your vehicle’s battery is about to die, we strongly recommend that you bring your vehicle into our Beaufort service center so that a trained specialist may examine it and, if necessary, replace it. If you are concerned that there may be an issue with the battery in your vehicle, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. If you have any questions, our highly trained automotive professionals will be pleased to answer them and also inspect your vehicle’s battery for you.