6 Common Signs Your VW Needs a New Car Battery

May 28, 2021

Car batteries can’t last forever. Over time, their energy levels decrease, and eventually, they need to be replaced. It can be tricky to tell when your car battery is on the way out, but there are some common warning signs to watch out for. This guide will go over some of the top signs your car needs a new car battery from the Volkswagen dealer in Fayetteville, AR.

6 Common Signs Your VW Needs a New Car Battery from the Fayetteville, AR Volkswagen Dealer

1. An Unresponsive Vehicle

This is the worst-case scenario. If you take a seat behind the wheel, turn the key in the ignition, and get no kind of response from your car, it’s likely that the battery has died. This often occurs when cars have been left for too long without being driven or if the battery is very old. It may be possible to jumpstart a dead battery back to life for a short time, but you’ll need to get it replaced as soon as possible.

2. Slow Starts

Fortunately, batteries don’t usually die without warning, so you should be able to spot the signs before ending up with a totally unresponsive car. For example, when the battery is close to the end of its life, you may notice that the car takes longer to start. This is usually quite easy to notice, as you’ll need to turn the key for a few extra seconds each day, and it can be quite inconvenient when you’re in a rush or trying to start the car on a cold morning.

3. Warning Lights

Your car’s dashboard has a range of warning lights to let you know when something is wrong, and there’s usually a battery-shaped light among them. If this light illuminates, it’s highly likely that the battery needs to be checked and may be almost out of power. The ALT and GEN lights can also be connected with battery issues.

4. Flickering Headlights

The battery helps to keep your headlights illuminated, allowing you to see and be seen on the road after dark. However, if the battery is low on power, the flow to the headlight bulbs might not be sufficient. This can cause problems with the lights, like random flickering or low levels of brightness. It’s very dangerous to drive with unreliable or faulty headlights, so be sure to get your car checked out if you notice this issue.

5. Odd Odors

Have you noticed an eggy smell coming from under the hood of your car? If so, it could be connected to the battery. When batteries leak or break, they can emit sulfurous gases into the air, which smell very strongly of rotten eggs.

6. Visible Changes

A good way to check up on your battery’s health is to perform a simple visual inspection. Pop the hood and take a look at the battery case. Healthy batteries don’t really show any signs of wear or tear, but old, broken, or dying batteries can be swollen, misshapen, or even have patches of corrosion around the connectors.

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, it’s important to contact a trusted dealer and get your battery checked and replaced. Call Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville to get a new battery installed in your VW.

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