6 Signs Your Kia’s Battery Needs Replacement

Once your car battery first shows signs of age, it’s unlikely to last much longer. Don’t hesitate to visit your Kia dealership for timely battery replacement if you experience the symptoms below. 

Your Headlights Fade 

When the battery and alternator are both working well, your headlights will remain bright and stable. However, if your battery weakens, the alternator is left to supply electricity on its own, which will cause the headlights to dim when you’re idling and brighten when you’re accelerating. Once the engine is turned off, the headlights will fade significantly. 

Your Electronics Falter 

Modern cars have a load shedding system that detects when the supply of electricity falls below the car’s demand because of a failing battery. The system restricts power to non-essential electronics first to keep more important components active. Because of this, if your battery goes bad, you’ll probably notice the stereo, phone charger, and heated seats slowing down or failing before the headlights and dashboard dials. 

Your Engine Struggles To Start

The starter requires a strong charge of voltage in the morning. If your engine sputters for a few seconds before turning over, you may have a failing battery. Slow engine starts might also result from a faulty starter or bad wiring; have your battery tested to figure out the underlying problem. 

Your Battery Case Is Swollen

It’s a good idea to pop the hood and take a look at your battery once in a while. If the casing ever has bulging or warping walls, it’s become damaged by vibrations, extreme temperatures, an internal short circuit, or overcharging. A malformed battery needs to be replaced. Similarly, a cracked and leaking battery is unfit for use.

Your Battery Terminals Are Corroded

If the sulfuric acid inside a battery leaks at the terminals, it reacts with the metal and causes a white or pale green corrosion to develop. A slight amount of this corrosion won’t immediately stop the battery from functioning, but as the corrosion develops, electrical resistance builds and starts to prevent power from reaching the rest of your car. It’s therefore best to get rid of a corroding battery. 

Your Battery Is Excessively Old

Car batteries usually last from three to five years, and rarely longer. If yours is already older than this, you should probably replace it. 

Get Timely Battery Replacement at Your Kia Dealership

Your Kia will run most smoothly with a fresh, strong car battery. It’s advisable to replace yours as soon as you notice these problems. The more you delay, the more trouble a bad battery will cause your car. 

Have your battery replaced today at Kia of Marin in Novato, CA. We’re a community-oriented dealership that puts the customer first.

Tags: Kia battery replacement, kia dealer, kia dealership, Novato CA
Posted in Kia of Marin Service, Novato Kia Service | No Comments »