Any issue to do with your car battery has to be addressed as soon as possible. To help you take note of such issues the next time they crop up, here are 6 signs that you might need a new car battery for your Toyota:
1. Electrical Issues
All of the various electrical instruments in your car, from obvious ones such as the headlights or dashboard to even your windows, are powered by the car battery. As such, running into repeated problems with a variety of electrical components can be a tell-tale sign that your car battery is in need of replacement.
2. Unusual Odors
A faulty car battery can also be detected through the presence of unusual odors in your vehicle. Similar to normal batteries, old age often causes the acid in your car battery to leak, emitting a distinctive smell of rotten eggs that should be impossible to miss. As battery acid leaks can also cause corrosion to other parts of your vehicle, it is essential to get your car battery looked at immediately if you do notice such odors.
3. Dashboard Battery Light
While drivers often ignore the various flashing indicators that seem to crop up on every drive, they are undoubtedly the most essential tool in spotting any issues with your car, and your car battery is no exception. While your dashboard battery light could be indicating basic problems with your charging system, it is wise to promptly determine the fault being indicated, as more serious battery problems could lead to a total loss of power to your car while driving.
4. Swelling Battery Case
Visual checks are essential to avoid a variety of easily spotted vehicular problems. If the car battery case appears mishappen in any way when you are performing these routine checks, which can occur due to overheating or simply prolonged usage, it is highly likely that it is no longer functioning at its optimal capacity.
5. Slow Staring Engine
Even your engine is reliant on the car battery to provide a charge for the starter. If you notice that cranking your car is starting to take a longer time than normal, or there are unusual sounds during this process, your car battery is probably taking a longer time to provide the necessary charge: a strong indicator that the end of its lifespan is approaching.
6. Old Age
Even if your car battery appears to be showing no signs of deterioration, it is still important to consider its age. Most sources would agree that a car battery’s maximum lifespan is around 3-4 years and that it would be prudent to replace your battery at the lower end of that time frame. Simply waiting for problems to occur before seeking a replacement could lead to issues such as battery acid leaks causing irreplaceable damage to your vehicle.
Does your car battery appear to be in need of repair? Schedule an appointment with Fox Toyota of El Paso today, and not only will we provide professional replacement services but we also keep a complete history of your visit to provide timely reminders for when your car is next due for maintenance. Give us a call today, or schedule online with our easy-to-use form!