Whenever your car battery’s on the way out, it’s wise to replace it sooner rather than later to avoid all manner of electrical problems. Here are some typical warning signs that you need battery service or replacement at your Mazda dealership.
7 Signs Your Mazda Needs a Battery Replacement
Poor Performance in Winter
Our chilly Minnesota winters can be brutal on car batteries; you’re most likely to experience electrical faults in December through February. If you notice the following problems on cold mornings, get a new battery without delay. In fact, it’s advisable to have your battery tested before winter begins and replaced then, too, if necessary.
Battery Warning Light
Your Mazda’s many sensors can detect problems with the electrical system. Your car will then usually warn you with the battery light on your instrument gauge cluster, plus the check engine light in some cases.
Weak Stereo or Flickering Screens
Most accessories in your cabin depend on the battery for power. If your audio suddenly grows faint or the touchscreen flickers, have your battery checked. Heated seats, power windows, air-con components, and external headlights and taillights will also eventually weaken. These problems become most evident when the engine’s off and the alternator isn’t helping to power a dying battery.
Battery Reaches Five Years Old
Five is old age for a car battery. Yours isn’t likely to last another winter beyond that point. It’s sensible to replace a five-year-old car battery before it fails and leaves you stranded somewhere.
Unpleasant Rotten Egg Smell
When a car battery gets severely damaged by vibrations, extreme cold, or a short circuit, battery acid may leak from its casing. This highly corrosive substance emits a strong rotten egg smell. If you detect a smell like this inside your car and determine that your battery is leaking, don’t hesitate to get rid of it.
Swollen Battery Casing
Before a damaged battery leaks, it will often start to warp or swell up. When you check the condition of your battery, the casing walls should always be perfectly straight. Any swelling at all means it has to go.
Extensive Terminal Corrosion
The terminals at the top of a battery should be clean, shiny, and corrosion-free. The same goes for the cable connectors. If you see a green-white corrosion collecting on the metal, clean it away and keep checking to make sure it doesn’t return. Extensive corrosion spells the end for a car battery.
Book Battery Service With the Experts at Our Mazda Dealership
Mazda builds uniquely nimble, responsive cars that use both gas and electricity very efficiently. If your battery is showing signs of age, it’s best to have Mazda specialists inspect the electrical system and make any necessary repairs or replacements.
Visit Alexandria Mazda in Alexandria, MN, today to have a new battery installed. Our factory-trained technicians will keep your Mazda safe, agile, and fun to drive.
