Nov 18, 2022

Your Cadillac needs a healthy battery to provide the power to start your engine. A battery will slowly wear out, and within five years, you’ll need a replacement. When you need a new car battery, your Cadillac dealer in Houston, TX, can fit it for you. These are a few signs that your battery could be failing.

3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Cadillac Dealer

Dead Battery

A dead battery is usually the most obvious sign that it’s time for a replacement. On average, a car battery will last from three to five years before it needs to be replaced. Your battery uses chemical reactions to store electricity and recharge. This chemical energy is created through the reactions of sulfuric acid and other chemicals in the battery casing.

As time passes, these chemical reactions change the chemicals. Sulfuric acid, for example, gradually degrades as it reacts. As the chemicals break down, the battery becomes weaker. Its maximum charging capacity drops, and it becomes more difficult to recharge. Our technicians can test your battery, and we can replace it for you with a new one if it’s failing.

Distorted Casing

The chemicals and other battery components are protected by a thick plastic casing. This case prevents other gases or contaminants from disrupting the battery and keeps the chemicals inside from damaging other engine components. Most batteries are rectangular, but you can also get square ones. You can get an indication of your battery health by popping the hood and looking at it.

Looking at the battery isn’t a foolproof sign that your battery is healthy. A distorted casing, however, is a sign there’s a problem. Any bulges or deformities in the casing mean that the chemicals in the battery are reacting badly to the external environment. Extremes of heat or cold change the chemicals inside the battery and cause it to break down faster. If your battery shows signs of distortion, we’ll need to replace it.

Dim Lights

The battery is responsible for powering all your car’s components when your engine is switched off. It supplies power to the alarm, lights, and other systems. This power is replaced when you start your engine, and the alternator begins recharging the battery. You can get an idea of your battery health by checking the brightness of the headlights, dash lights, and cabin lights.

You can check the brightness of the headlights when the engine is off and compare it to the brightness when the engine is running. When the engine is running, the alternator supplies your Cadillac’s electrical needs. If the lights aren’t as bright when the engine is off, your battery is weakening and needs replacement.

If you have problems with your battery, call us right away at Bayway Cadillac Southwest.

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