Certified Ford Battery Service

Signs That You May Need Battery Service

A few signs can tell you when to replace your vehicle's battery. Whether you have a conventional lead-acid battery or an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, a few warning signs can give you a heads-up when your battery is dying out.

• Dimming Headlights: A common symptom of an aging battery is dimming headlights at idle. If the headlights brighten up when the engine revs higher, your alternator isn't charging the battery properly at idle.

• Sluggish Engine Cranking: As batteries age, they lose some of their capacity. It causes the cranking power to be reduced, often resulting in slow engine cranks and longer than normal starting times. On newer vehicles with start-stop systems, this can cause the system to shut off while idling if the battery's cranking power is too low. In this case, the battery cannot service the demands of the stop-start operation.

• Check Engine Light On: If you see the Check Engine light illuminated on your dashboard, there might be a problem with your alternator or another electrical component. It's always good to consult a technician when the Check Engine light comes on.

What Happens When You Come Into The Dealership For Battery Service?

When you come to our dealership for battery service, we perform a diagnostic test to determine your battery's state of charge. Let us know if you've been having any issues with your vehicle so that we can check out the health of other related components.

A failing battery is not only a nuisance; it can also be dangerous. We'll offer a Ford battery warranty if it's not working just after a few months of purchase.

The Right Battery

If you have left your lights on or used other accessories with the engine off, you may have discharged the battery too much to start the car. Before replacing the battery, jump-start the vehicle. It is not uncommon for that to happen, especially when many people drive your car.

If your car has had a battery replaced before, it will likely need another shortly. A sign that you may need a Ford battery warranty is sulfation on the terminals or rusty battery cables (which you can clean). A dead cell may also cause excessive discharge problems.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

Cold cranking amps is a rating that tells the technician what to expect from the vehicle's battery in specific conditions. CCA ratings define the vehicle's starting ability in cold temperatures. If these amps read as low, it lets the technician know the battery is going as there isn't enough current to start the engine.

Battery Date Code

The most apparent reason for battery service is when your battery is old. Batteries don't last forever, and they wear out over time. Their ability to hold a charge diminishes until they eventually can't hold a charge at all. Battery life usually ranges from three to five years. If your battery is old, you may need a new one.

The battery date code tells servicers how old your battery is. For example, a battery has a sticker with a date on it. If there is no sticker, there will be an engraving, heat stamp, or strip with a manufacturer code to determine the battery's age.

Ford Certified Battery Service in San Mateo

In any case, it's important to know the signs that you may need battery service before your car disappoints you by refusing to start. It's better to have a preventative check-up than to deal with the aftermath of a dead battery. If you have questions about your Ford car and its battery, contact us for help. We're here for you!