Your car battery will gradually wear out as the chemicals inside break down. When this happens, the battery’s electricity storage capacity drops. Eventually, it won’t retain enough power to start the engine. As your Kia dealership, we want you to know several signs you may need to visit us for a battery replacement.
Old Battery
A car battery has an average lifespan of three to five years. It can last up to six years, but it can also fail earlier due to a damaged alternator, extreme weather, or other issues. While a battery will show signs it’s getting weaker, like slower starting or dim lights, you don’t have to wait for these issues to appear.
We recommend regular annual battery testing, starting in your battery’s third year. Our technicians will connect your battery to our computerized battery tester. This machine subjects the battery to various stress tests to identify potential issues. If your battery passes the test, you have peace of mind that it won’t fail unexpectedly. If it fails the test, we can install a replacement while you wait.
Damaged Alternator
The alternator is a mini generator that produces electricity for your Kia’s systems. Its secondary function is to recharge the battery to ensure it contains a full charge. When the engine starts, the alternator will begin recharging the battery. It charges the battery at full power for ten minutes, then switches to a reduced recharging rate of 10% of battery capacity.
The reduced recharging rate is essential to protect the battery and alternator from unnecessary wear and tear. If your alternator is damaged, it may not switch to a reduced charging rate. If this happens, the alternator continues to charge the battery at full power. This can cause the battery’s electrolyte to boil, and you’ll smell a rotten egg smell. We’ll replace the damaged alternator and test the battery, replacing it if necessary.
Corroded Battery Terminals
If you pop the hood and see a gray, green, or white salt-like substance around the terminals, you need a new battery. This substance is corrosion, and it’s formed by hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide gas forms in your engine when a weak battery releases hydrogen as a byproduct of its chemical breakdown.
The hydrogen joins with sulfur molecules to form hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs. Hydrogen sulfide is drawn to the battery terminals and forms an acidic salt that will gradually eat through the terminals. We can clean the corruption, but it will return as long as the battery continues to fail. Once we install a new battery, corrosion won’t reappear.
Don’t risk a battery failure. Contact us today at Auffenberg Kia in Shiloh, IL.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.