8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

Thank you for choosing D&D Autoworks for your vehicles’ service, maintenance and repair.

Determine an Issue with the Battery

by | Oct 6, 2015 | Auto Repair, Battery, General Car Maintenance, Safe Driving Tips

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Owning a vehicle is one of the largest investments you will make in your life. It only makes sense that you will want to keep it in the best condition possible. Make sure to bring the vehicle in so we can inspect the parts for you. One part that should be tested during the fall months is the battery. The battery is important because without it, your vehicle will not operate. There are some signs you might notice with how the battery is operating. If anything is out of the norm, make sure to schedule an appointment to bring the vehicle in. Having an issue checked at the first sign can help prevent further damage from happening.

 

One sign could be if the engine crank is slow. When you attempt to start your vehicle, the cranking of the engine could be sluggish and take longer than normal to start. Another indication of an issue could be if the check engine light turns on. As the battery power gets weaker, the check engine light will illuminate. If the battery casing looks like it is swelling or bloating, there could be an issue with the battery. Usually this is excessive heat that causes the battery to swell and decreases the battery life. Also inspect the battery for any signs of a leak. This can cause corrosion around the posts of the battery. The corrosion should be removed or otherwise the vehicle may not be able to start. As the battery starts to age, it will be less reliable. Bring the vehicle in and we can test the battery for you. If it is not charging correctly, we can advise you on what battery your vehicle would need.

 

Make sure to unplug any electrical or accessories you might have in your vehicle. If you leave things plugged in or lights on, it can drain the battery quickly. Make sure that all the lights are turned off, this even includes the interior lights. If the glove compartment in the vehicle is left open, the light from that could drain the battery if it is not shut in a timely manner. By doing a quick inspection to ensure the lights are off, you can help keep the vehicle reliable when you need to drive it.