4 Signs Your Buick or GMC Needs a New Car Battery

These days, most modern cars use an average of 1,400 to 1,500 semiconductor chips. Our cars have become filled to the brim with clever electronics, all of which require a reliable flow of electrical power from the battery. If you ever notice the following signs of battery trouble, head to your nearest Buick dealer or GMC dealer for a new car battery before your vehicle’s many electronics start to fail.

4 Signs Your Buick or GMC Needs a New Car Battery

Your Engine’s Reluctant To Start

When you turn the key or press the starter button, the starter and spark plugs require a surge of voltage to get the engine going. If your battery is on its last legs, you’ll find your car struggling to turn over. 

At first, it will take a little longer to start. Over time, it will become slower and slower and eventually fail to start at all. If you find yourself needing to jumpstart your car on more than one occasion, your battery probably needs to be replaced.

Your Engine Coughs and Sputters

A failing car battery can also cause the engine to misfire while you’re driving. The engine’s fuel pumps require electrical power to operate. If a dying battery fails to deliver this voltage effectively, the fuel pumps can slow down, which unbalances the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chambers, leading to misfiring spark plugs. This misfiring will cause your car to cough and sputter; you’ll also lose engine power. 

Your Electronics Slow Down and Fail

There are many electronic accessories throughout your car, some of which are more important than others. When a battery fades, the first electronics that are likely to fail are the inessential ones like the phone charger, heated seats, power windows, and stereo. Eventually, even the dashboard dials and the headlights will fade and stop working.

Your Battery Is Damaged or Leaking

As batteries tend to last from three to five years, once your battery reaches three years of age, it’s a good idea to check on its condition every now and then. If you see that the battery’s casing is warped out of shape or cracked open, leaking battery acid, you’ll need to have it replaced. Excessive corrosion on the terminals also spells the end for many car batteries.

Test Your Battery at Your Local Buick Dealer or GMC Dealer

If you’re unsure whether or not your battery is failing, have it tested at your local dealership. The technician can use a multimeter or similar tool to check how well it’s holding and delivering voltage. Dying batteries can rarely be repaired effectively and nearly always need to be replaced. 

Visit Royal Moore Buick GMC in Hillsboro, OR, today to have your battery tested or replaced. We’re a local full-service dealership that offers great cars, great deals, and great customer service. 

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