5 Signs Your Hyundai Is About to Need a New Car Battery

Car batteries can’t last forever. Eventually, all that energy inside them runs out and they need to be replaced. But how do you know when the time is right for a new car battery? Well, there are actually several key warning signs that may start to appear when your current battery is nearing the end of its days and needs to be replaced. This guide will look at common signs that may appear when you need a new battery from your local Hyundai dealer.

1. A Slow or Unresponsive Engine

Usually, all you need to do to get your car started is take a seat behind the wheel and turn the key in the ignition. However, if your engine doesn’t start right away and you have to keep on turning the key a few times to get it started, it could be because the battery is running low on power. If you don’t get it replaced, you may eventually find that your engine simply will not start at all.

2. Weak and Unreliable Headlights

Your car’s headlights are so vital for driving safely in dark conditions, like at night or on cloudy days, and it’s the battery that keeps those lights shining brightly. However, if the battery doesn’t have much charge left, your headlights may appear far less bright than normal. The beams may appear weak or dim, and you might even notice that the lights start to flicker or cut out, leaving you in danger and in the dark.

3. Old Age

Car batteries have an estimated lifespan of around four years. So, if you’ve already had your battery for quite a while, it may be time to think about getting it changed, even if you haven’t noticed any other issues yet. The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll be to start noticing things going wrong with your car, like the aforementioned headlight and engine issues.

4. Rotten Egg Smells

Have you noticed a smell like rotten eggs coming from your car recently? If so, the battery is probably to blame. If the battery starts to crack and leak, sulfuric gases can be produced, and it’s those same gases that cause the strange smell. Not only is this smell unpleasant to deal with, but it also usually means that your battery is physically broken, which could cause all sorts of problems like corrosion and damage to other components under the hood.

5. A Strange Shape

Now and then, it’s a good idea to pop the hood and take a look at your battery with your own two eyes. Even if you’re not very experienced with cars, you may be able to spot some warning signs right away if the battery case looks swollen or has a strange shape. You may also be able to spot corroded areas around the battery’s connectors, and if you see anything that looks strange or suspicious, your battery might need replacing.

Now that you know the signs of a bad battery, you should find it a lot easier to take action when your own car battery is nearing the end of its life in order to avoid any serious issues with your automobile. If you spot any of the signs listed above, all you need to do is contact your local dealer and arrange to have a new battery fitted. Call Crain Hyundai of Fort Smith to schedule battery checks and replacements.

Image via Hyundai.

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