Your superb BMW engine depends on a healthy battery to bring it to life. Many drivers don’t, however, think about their battery until a problem arises. As your BMW dealer in Jacksonville, FL, we can test your battery, and we can fit a new car battery when you need one. These are a few possible signs that you may need a new battery before too long.
3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your BMW Dealer
Damaged Alternator
One of the functions of your alternator is to recharge your battery. When your engine starts, your alternator will charge it at full power for five minutes, and then it switches to recharging your battery at 10% of battery capacity. As your BMW drives, your battery will be recharged. If your alternator starts to fall, your battery will begin to suffer too.
When the alternator starts wearing out, it produces less power. This reduced power affects all of your car’s systems, and it also reduces the power available to recharge your battery. Your battery uses a set amount of power to start your engine, and if this isn’t fully replaced your battery will begin to weaken. In time, this lack of recharging will drain your battery completely.
Worn Out Battery
Even the strongest charge can’t compensate for a worn-out battery. As the battery ages, the chemical processes in the battery gradually cause it to fail. A failing battery becomes more difficult to recharge, and its maximum charging capacity is also reduced. If the battery isn’t replaced, it will wear out completely, and you’ll need a jumpstart to get your BMW moving.
On average, your battery will last for three to five years before it needs to be replaced. Depending on the demands placed on it, your battery could also wear out sooner. We advise that you bring your BMW in for a battery test after three years. Our expert technicians will connect your battery to our testing equipment, and we can advise you on the battery’s health and possible longevity.
Corroded Terminals
You can’t easily check many things about a battery at home, but you can look for signs of corrosion. If you open the hood and look at the terminals, they should look clean. If you see a white or gray salt-like substance around the terminals, your battery is corroding. This corrosion is an unpleasant side-effect of a dying battery.
As the battery ages, sulfuric acid in the battery breaks down and releases hydrogen gas. This gas will seep out of the battery casing and mix with chemicals in the air to form hydrogen sulfide. This new gas is drawn to the battery terminals and forms a corrosive acidic salt on the terminals. If your terminals are corroded, your battery will need to be replaced.
Your battery won’t just fail. You’ll be able to see signs that it’s failing which gives time to plan for its replacement. If you have an issue with your battery, call our service department at Tom Bush BMW, and we’ll repair or replace it for you.
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