Does Your Car Need a New Car Battery?

Your car battery provides the power to start your engine, and it maintains the electrical systems in your car when the engine is off. A battery has a relatively limited lifespan of approximately three to five years before it needs replacement. If you’re in or around Freeport, IL, we can help you when you need a new car battery. These are some of the signs that your battery is wearing out.

Do You Need a New Car Battery in Freeport, IL?

Dim Headlights

Dim headlights can mean that the bulbs have worn and are about to blow. They can also be a sign that your battery is running low. A weakening battery may not have sufficient charge to supply all the systems that depend on it. A worn battery may supply just enough power to allow the lights to come on, but it won’t be able to apply the additional power required for the bulbs to work correctly.

You can test for the cause of the problem by switching on the lights when your engine is off. Note the brightness of the bulbs and then switch on the engine. When your engine is running, your alternator will supply power to the headlights. If the bulbs are still dim, you have a headlight problem. If the bulbs are brighter, the problem is a weak battery.

Difficulty Starting

When you turn the key, your battery sends an electrical charge to the starter. This charge activates the starter solenoid, which will initiate the crank, and your engine will turn over. When a battery gets older, its maximum charging capacity reduces, and it becomes more difficult to charge. This situation makes it more difficult for your battery to function correctly, and the problem will only worsen.

The amount of power used to start your engine is the largest expenditure of energy your battery makes. If you find that your engine takes several tries to crank, it can be due to the battery needing extra time to build up the required charge. Our technicians can test your battery, and we will replace it with a new one if you need it.

Misshapen Battery

A plastic casing surrounds and protects your battery. This casing is necessary to protect the delicate components and chemicals in the battery from contaminants in the air. This casing, however, can suffer damage due to extreme weather conditions. Cold and hot weather over a protracted period can damage the battery casing.

Excessive temperatures cause bad reactions with the chemicals in your battery, and the casing itself can distort. A battery should be rectangular, but the reactions of the chemicals to the weather can result in bulges forming as the chemicals try to escape from the casing. If your battery is misshapen, it will need to be replaced as a damaged battery can’t be repaired.

If your battery is showing signs that it’s failing, come and see us at J.H. Barkau & Sons Inc. Our family-run dealership has been proudly serving the local community for over 65 years.