According to Arizona State Troopers, over 75,235 individuals have their car break down on the side of a road. Broken-down cars create safety issues for the car owner as well as other cars on the road.
The heat in the area makes broken-down cars more frequent in the area. If your car has stopped unexpectedly, there may be many causes. Often, the culprit is your car’s battery.
Read on to learn about the signs of a bad car battery and what you can do if you find yourself stopped on the side of the road.
Know The Signs of a Bad Car Battery
As with most things, it is best to leave the big repairs to the experts. However, below are some common signs that you need to replace your battery.
Corrosion or Film on Your Battery
You should regularly pop the hood of your car and visually inspect your battery.
If you see a lot of fluffy blue corrosion or a clear film across the top of the battery case, your battery is giving off acidic fumes or is leaking battery acid. This is a sign it needs to be replaced.
Age
All batteries eventually fail with most needing replacement 3-5 years after installation. Extreme temperature fluctuations and repeated cycles of the car starting speed up the battery aging process.
If your car seems to need a regular jump-start, we will send a technician to your house to replace your battery at a time that works for your schedule.
Your Car is Slow to Start
When your car is slow to turn over, makes a whirring sound, or is just sluggish to start the cause is typically a failing battery.
As your battery fails, you may also experience just clicks as you start your car. This is a more severe symptom, so get your battery tested and if needed replace it.
What Does Your Battery Light Indicate?
Yes, there is a battery light in your car. It should and does come on when you start your car. If all systems are a go, this light will go out as soon as your car starts.
If the light comes on while you are driving, that is not usually your battery but your alternator. Your car’s battery starts the car; your alternator generates the power that keeps it running, while it recharges the battery.
A battery light shows that your car is running off the battery because the alternator isn’t doing its job. A trained mechanic should address this quickly, so you don’t break down on the side of a road.
It is always frustrating when your car breaks down. However, the solution is not always expensive. Now that you know the signs of an aging or dead battery, you can better troubleshoot issues and hopefully change the battery before you end up stranded.
Did Your Car Break Down?
If you are in the the Phoenix & Tucson, AZ area or Albuquerque & Rio Rancho, NM area, you should know the number for Dugger’s Emergency Roadside Services. Grab your phone and enter this number into your contacts: (877) 823-9696.
We are here to help you with towing and emergency roadside assistance. We know the signs of a bad car battery, and we can deliver a replacement battery wherever you are.
Don’t just believe us, read our satisfied customers’ reviews.
