A car is a serious investment, and it only makes sense to treat all of the components of the vehicle with the same attitude. That’s why taking care of the car battery is so important. It’s no different than maintaining the brakes and replacing the brake pads when needed or changing the oil and replacing the oil filter on schedule. Especially in places like the Midwest, where wide temperature swings from season to season are common, proper car care matters for auto batteries in Gibraltar.
Signs the Battery Is About to Go
Most drivers can count on their vehicle’s battery to last around five years, possibly more or less, depending on how regularly the car is driven. While on-going all-around car care matters, it’s around the five-year mark drivers should begin paying extra attention to how their battery is doing.
Here are some signs a car battery may need replacement:
- The car sounds like it requires a great deal of effort to turn the engine over
- The engine won’t start
- At night, you notice the headlamps aren’t as bright as they should be
- The check engine light that indicates a battery issues comes on
What to Look for in a Bad Battery
A visual inspection of the battery can also clue you into trouble. When you pop the hood and look at the battery carefully, you may notice the outside of the battery looks like there’s fluid leaking from it. Sometimes, the battery itself appears to be swollen or overly full.
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to bring the car to a trusted mechanic for an evaluation of the auto batteries in Gibraltar.
