If your diesel car, truck, or utility vehicle’s battery is older than three years old, it is on the road to dying very quickly. Car batteries last from three years to four years in general. In most cases, you may get some warnings that the battery is going bad. We are going to list these warnings below.
Battery Warning Light
One of the first things that can happen is your battery light will remain illuminated on the dashboard. Generally, this light turns off after you start your automobile. The battery light may also turn on if you are having difficulties getting your car started. This is a sign that the battery is dying.
Frequent Jump-starts
In fact, if you have had to jump-start your battery frequently lately, it’s time to replace it. Frequent jump-starts can also be a sign that the alternator is dying and not charging the battery properly. If you bring your vehicle to our shop, we can test both the battery and alternator to see which part is the problem.
Electrical Problems
Another sign that your battery is not holding the church that it used to is electrical problems with your diesel vehicle. For example, if you find that it is hard to see at night because the headlights are not bright enough, this is a sign of a weak battery. Another sign is slow power windows.
Corroded Terminals
Once your battery gets old, it is an excellent idea to pop the hood and check the battery regularly to make sure it doesn’t look or smell strange. For example, if you have corrosion on the battery terminals, the battery is leaking. It should be replaced at this time.
Rotten Egg Odors
You may also notice that the battery smells like rotten eggs. When this happens, this, too, is a sign that it is leaking battery acid. The acid inside of a car battery is sulfuric acid. If you don’t already know this, sulfuric acid smells like rotten eggs. It is a very unpleasant odor.
Misshapen Case
Finally, while inspecting your battery, make sure that the case looks normal. It should not be misshapen in any way. It should not be cracked. It should not bubble. It should not look warped. If it has any of these problems, there is an issue with the chemical reaction inside the battery.
We are here to help with everything that your diesel automobile needs, so call us today if you suspect it is time for a new battery.
