Car batteries usually last from three to five years, which means you’ll have to replace your battery quite a few times over the lifespan of your Nissan. If you learn to identify the warning signs of a dying battery early on, you’ll avoid awkward problems that a bad battery can cause, such as being stranded somewhere and unable to start your car. The following issues should prompt a quick visit to your nearest Nissan dealership for a new car battery.
Your Engine Won’t Start
When your engine is slow to start or refuses to start in the morning, it usually means one of three things: you drained the battery by leaving your headlights on overnight, your battery has died of old age, or your alternator has stopped recharging the battery properly.
Jumpstarting your car will shed light on the cause. If the engine starts working well and the headlights also come on, then you probably left the headlights on overnight. If the engine’s working well and keeps on running, your alternator is fine and your battery might need replacing. If your engine dies quickly after being jumpstarted, the alternator is most likely malfunctioning.
Your Electronics Fail When the Engine’s Off
When charging properly and transmitting voltage well, your battery should keep the electronics in your car powered for several hours with the engine turned off. So if you find that your headlights and other electrical components are losing significant power as soon as you turn off the engine, something’s wrong with your battery.
Your Dashboard Battery Light Comes On
Most battery problems or other electrical issues will cause the battery light to light up on your dashboard. This light may point to a variety of electrical problems. A technician can diagnose and repair the underlying problem for you.
Your Battery’s Warped or Corroded
Age, heat, cold, and vibrations can all cause a battery to break down over time. Sometimes a worn-out battery’s casing will begin to warp out of shape and the connectors may show signs of corrosion. If your battery looks damaged in these ways, it’s time for a new one.
You Smell Rotten Eggs
When seriously warped, a battery’s casing can sometimes crack open, allowing battery acid to leak out. This creates a strong sulfury smell, similar to that of rotten eggs, which you might smell in the cabin. A cracked and leaking battery most definitely needs to be replaced.
How a Nissan Dealer Can Test Your Battery
When your battery reaches three years of age, it’s a good idea to start having it tested at your local dealership whenever you go in for an oil change. The technician can carry out various tests such as multimeter testing, conductance testing, and refractometer testing to see whether your battery’s working well or it’s on its last legs.
Visit Ed Martin Nissan of Fishers today to have your battery replaced. We have over 600 new Nissan vehicles in our inventory and a nationally ranked-service department to fix battery issues and any other problems your car might have.
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