A good battery is essential for your Genesis, as the battery provides the power needed to start your engine. Once your engine is running, the alternator will begin recharging the battery. The battery will slowly weaken, and eventually, it will need replacement. As your Genesis dealer, we’d like you to know some signs that it’s time to visit us for a new car battery.
3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Genesis Dealer
Sulfur Smell
A strong smell of sulfur from under the hood usually means that your battery is wearing out. The battery uses a combination of chemical reactions, electrolytes, and copper plates to store electricity as chemical energy. The chemical reactions that enable the battery to store energy gradually cause the chemicals in the battery to break down.
Sulfuric acid is one of the most important chemicals in the battery, and it releases hydrogen as it breaks down. Hydrogen molecules can escape the battery casing. Once inside the engine compartment, the hydrogen molecules will join with sulfur molecules to form hydrogen sulfide. A battery that’s releasing hydrogen is failing and can’t be repaired. We can fix this problem by removing the battery and replacing it with a new one.
Swollen Battery Case
As we’ve seen, the chemicals in a battery gradually break down, and this will cause the battery to fail. A battery can also be damaged by extreme heat or cold or by a damaged alternator. High or low temperatures for a prolonged period affect the electrolyte solution inside the battery. This solution can’t escape the battery, but it will distort the battery case due to internal pressure.
A damaged alternator can cause a battery case to swell if it overcharges the battery. Under normal conditions, the alternator will recharge a battery at full power for ten minutes and then switch to charging at 10% of battery capacity. A damaged alternator may continue to charge the battery at full power, and this causes the battery chemicals to boil and expand. A swollen battery will need replacement as it can’t be repaired.
Dim Headlights
A battery usually has an effective lifespan of three to five years before it needs replacement. As the battery ages, it loses its ability to charge completely and its electrical storage capacity also drops. There are always signs that your battery is failing, and you can perform a quick test to identify signs that the battery’s life is coming to an end.
If you suspect a battery problem, you can test it by switching on the headlights when the engine is switched off. Take note of the bulb’s luminescence and then start your engine and switch the headlights on again. If the headlights are brighter when the engine is running, your battery is probably failing.
If you think you have a battery problem, call us right away at Genesis of Waipio.
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