Recognizing the Signs: When Your Kia Needs a New Car Battery

Car batteries can usually last from three to five years, but there are many factors that can lower the life of your battery. Don’t wait until your battery completely dies, stranding you on a highway. Instead, recognize these signs and make your way to your Kia dealership. Get yourself a new car battery before it happens.

Electrical Component Issues

Some of your battery’s charge will come from the engine. But electrical components of your vehicle like your headlights, radio, or power windows can be a great indicator that your battery is weak. For example, if your window rolls down more slowly than before, it’s likely your battery is weak.

Here’s a test you can do: Get in your car and turn on your headlights. If they’re dim, try revving the engine. If the lights brighten, that’s a good sign that the battery itself isn’t generating enough power to fully engage your headlights and needs a boost from your engine.

You’ve Just Experienced Extreme Temperatures

A heat wave or a winter storm can both cause problems with your battery. Temperature can interfere with the chemical reactions that occur inside your battery to generate electricity. Heat will increase the gases within the battery and cold will freeze the liquids, increasing their volume, causing bulging of the battery.

A good rule of thumb is to assess your battery after every extreme temperature event to see if your battery is swelling. If it is, you need a new battery before attempting to drive your car again.

Corrosion on the Terminals

Battery corrosion is basically crystallized sulphury acid that reacts with oxygen in the air, causing a whitish-green substance to appear on or around the battery. This corrosion is a poor conductor of electricity, which means that the parts that depend on this battery aren’t even getting the power it’s generating. If you notice corroded battery terminals, go, and get a new battery to prevent further damage.

Trouble Starting Your Vehicle

We’ve all felt that sinking fear the moment the key is turned in the ignition and your car doesn’t start. It’s usually followed by cursing and more key turns and maybe a smack on the steering wheel. If your car won’t start at all, or takes several attempts to get started, that’s a telltale sign that you’re in need of a new battery. Save yourself that frustration and replace the battery at the earliest signs of damage.

Visit Your Kia Dealership for a New Car Battery

Still not sure? Paying your dealership a visit and utilizing their maintenance services can shed some light on your situation. There, experts will offer top-level advice to ensure the longest life for your car battery, or even install a new one for you.

Keeping your battery’s health in check will not only save you money in the long run, but it can also prevent potentially dangerous situations on the road. Visit Coughlin Kia of Lancaster in Lancaster, OH for a new battery today!

Tags: Auto Service Lancaster, Car Battery Maintenance, Coughlin Kia of Lancaster, Kia Battery Replacement, Kia dealer near Lancaster OH, Kia Service, Kia Service Research, Signs of Battery Failure, Vehicle Care
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