Nov 10, 2023

Car batteries usually need to be replaced every four or five years. It’s best to know the symptoms of a failing battery, so you don’t run into electrical problems while out on the road. Here are a few warning signs to look out for. If you think you need a new car battery, head to your local Subaru dealer without delay to have one installed.

Does Your Subaru Need a New Car Battery?

Engine Cranks But Won’t Start

When you turn the key to start your engine, do you hear the starter cranking but nothing more? When an engine refuses to start, the most common culprit is the battery. Either it’s temporarily drained or it’s grown too old and degraded to properly hold or conduct enough voltage. 

Engine Only Starts Sluggishly

Fortunately, when a car battery is on its last legs, it’s unlikely that the engine suddenly won’t start one day without any warning. Most of the time, it will first become gradually slower to start. If you notice your car’s struggling to start, have your battery checked at once before it fails altogether.

Lights and Other Electronics Fail

The battery supplies electricity to the headlights and other electrical components of your car. So if your headlights start to dim and other electronics also lose power, consider having your battery replaced. 

Too Much Corrosion To Clean

When you inspect your battery, pay attention to the connection terminals. It’s natural for a little rust or other forms of corrosion to appear on the metal of the terminals, but you shouldn’t allow this corrosion to grow. 

Use a good cleaning product to clean the terminals. If corrosion ever becomes too excessive to clean, you’ll probably need a new battery.

Casing Starts To Warp Out of Shape

A car battery’s casing can sometimes begin to warp out of shape when it ages or becomes damaged. Any warping at all means the battery’s internal integrity and ability to function is threatened, and it’s no longer safe to use.

Bad Smells Emitting From the Battery

A pungent smell that’s similar to rotten eggs might point to a leaking car battery. If your battery ever cracks open and starts to leak, get rid of it before the leaking battery acid causes damage to other components of your car. 

Subaru Dealer Recommends a New Battery

Preventative maintenance is the key to catching and resolving potential automobile problems early on. This also applies to your car’s electronic system and battery. 

As such, it’s a good idea to have an experienced professional check your battery from time to time. Also, always pay heed to any suggested actions they have to offer. 

Visit Jim Keras Subaru today to have your battery checked or replaced by qualified technicians. We’re a locally owned and operated dealership that’s been helping out the region’s drivers for over 32 years.