Ensuring your battery is working properly and getting it changed when it starts to fail are important parts of a solid maintenance regime for your vehicle. At Wendle Ford, we can offer you peace of mind with our professional battery testing and changing services. Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our expert auto technicians.

How Do I Know When My Battery Needs Replacing?

Batteries often display warning signs indicating that they are wearing out. If you know what to look out for, you should be able to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic before your battery fails completely.

One typical symptom of a bad battery is that your vehicle struggles to start. If you turn the key and the engine whirs for several seconds before starting up properly, this could be a sign that your battery needs replacing.As the battery deteriorates, you may find that you can't start the engine at all. Instead, when you turn the key, you may hear a clicking sound. If this happens, you should still be able to jump-start your car. However, make sure to have your battery changed as soon as possible to avoid further problems.

Another indication of a weak battery is when your dash lights turn on when you try to start your car, but the engine doesn't start. This suggests that the battery has adequate power to turn on your lights, but not enough to ignite the engine. If you experience this problem, you can try starting your car multiple times or jump-starting your battery. After you jump-start your car, it's a good idea to let it run for 15-30 minutes before you drive off so your alternator can charge up your battery.

If you suspect your battery isn't working properly, look under the hood to inspect its condition. Batteries with blue corrosion around the terminals or a layer of film on top require replacing. These signs indicate that the battery is leaking its acid or giving off acidic fumes. Another way you can tell that this is happening is if you notice a smell similar to rotten eggs coming from your battery.

Batteries naturally drain over time, so if yours is already a few years old, it's probably a good idea to consider having it replaced, whether or not it's showing any symptoms. This process of natural wear can be accelerated by sharp changes in temperatures, such as cold winters or hot summers.

If you haven't experienced any problems with your battery, even though you've been running it for several years, a good first step would be to take advantage of our free battery testing service at Wendle Ford to make sure it's in good working order. One of our technicians will perform a visual inspection of your battery before testing it with a tester. Hybrid batteries can't be tested as part of this offer.

What if My Battery Is Still New?

Batteries can also stop working while they're relatively new, although this is less common. One reason may be that a battery component has failed or isn't working properly. Another could be that a device or piece of equipment in your vehicle continues to operate after you turn off the engine, draining your battery's power. If you suspect you're having problems with your battery, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians to have it checked out.

What About the Battery Light?

While it's normal for your battery light to come on briefly when you start your car, you should be more concerned if the battery light comes on while you're driving. If this happens, it could be an indication that your alternator needs replacing.

The alternator is responsible for supplying power to the battery and enabling it to charge. When the battery light comes on while you're driving, this can indicate that the alternator has stopped working and your car is running on battery power. Although you can continue driving for a short time, you should try to get to your Wendle Ford technician as soon as possible to have the problem checked out before your battery runs out of power completely.

How Can I Maintain My Battery?

The most effective way to monitor how your battery is performing is to have it tested for free at Wendle Ford. You can take advantage of this service while you have your vehicle in for other routine maintenance, such as an oil change or tire rotation.

What Battery Services Does Wendle Ford Provide?

In addition to testing and replacing your battery, we have access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This means that you can be sure your new battery or any other car part we replace will perform to a high standard. In addition, we provide warranties on the labor our technicians perform and the parts they install. We offer new batteries for purchase, including Motorcraft Tested Tough Max batteries and Motorcraft Tested Tough Plus batteries.

Other Benefits at Wendle Ford

If you choose to visit us, you'll benefit from our full range of maintenance and repair facilities. That means we can perform just about any repair or maintenance procedure on your vehicle. On our service page, you can take a look at our range of service offers. They include seasonal tire changes, new tires for purchase, brake inspections, wheel alignment checks, and a cooling system service.

While you wait on our technicians to get the job done, you can relax in our comfortable waiting areas, which also includes free Wi-Fi. We can provide you with a free shuttle service to and from your home in case your vehicle is no longer able to drive. (Available Monday-Friday, within a reasonable driving distance.)

So, now you know how to tell if your battery needs replacing and what we can do at Wendle Ford to help you. Do you have a question about our services? Is there something you'd like to ask about your battery that we haven't explained here? Our team of trained technicians is waiting to help you. Contact us to have your query answered or to make a service appointment for your vehicle.