The battery is one of your car's most important components, but it has a relatively short working life of three to five years. Your battery can also be damaged by other the failure of components. As your Ford dealer in Broken Arrow, OK, we'd like you to know some signs that your battery is failing, and it's time to visit us for a new car battery.
Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Ford Dealer
Bad Smell
If you're driving and smell the stench of rotten eggs, you probably have a failing battery. This foul smell is produced by a chemical called hydrogen sulfide, which forms when a battery is failing. Your battery contains many different components, including an electrolyte solution, copper plates, and sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid in a battery gradually breaks down over time, and the acid releases hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen molecules are minute and can easily escape the confines of the battery case. The hydrogen molecules will mix with sulfur molecules already present in the engine and form hydrogen sulfide. This new chemical compound smells awful and can cause your battery to corrode. We can't repair the battery, but we can install a replacement battery to fix this problem.
Weak Alternator
The battery stores the electricity that provides the charge to start the engine. It also supplies power to maintain your car's electrical systems, like the lights and alarm when the engine is switched off. The alternator is a mini generator in your engine that powers the electrical systems while you're driving, and it also recharges the battery.
The alternator is a very robust component and usually only needs replacement after about eight years. If the alternator is wearing out, it will produce less electricity than it should. The reduced electricity supply will affect all your car's systems, and it will also provide less power to recharge the battery. A lack of recharging will gradually cause the battery to fail. Our technicians will test your alternator, and we can install a new one if required.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning light lights up in response to a problem in your car's electrical system. Sensors are connected to every component in the electrical system, and they continually relay information to your car's computer. These sensors are very sensitive and can detect the smallest change in the component they're connected to.
A healthy battery should supply between 12.6 and 12.8 volts. If your battery is wearing out, its voltage output will decrease. If the battery's voltage drops below 12 volts, the warning light will illuminate. We'll examine your engine to identify the reason for the low voltage, and we can replace your battery if it's failing.
Don't risk the headache and stress of a dead battery. Call our service department today at Matthews Ford.