Signs Your Volkswagen Battery May Need Replacement

A dead battery is a major headache for any driver, and it will always seem to happen at the worst possible time. A battery usually shows warning signs that something is wrong, giving you enough time to replace it at your VW dealer.  We’d like you to know a few signs you may need to visit us for a new car battery.

Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your VW Dealer

Dim Lights

Dim lights could mean your headlight bulbs are worn, but could also mean your battery is weak. The average lifespan for a battery is three to five years, although this can be reduced due to environmental factors or electrical system issues. You can easily test your battery strength by checking headlight brightness when your engine is switched on, then repeating the test with your engine switched off.

If the headlights are equally dim in both situations, your battery is fine.  If the headlights are brighter when the engine is running, your battery is weak and needs to be tested. We’ll connect your battery to our computerized battery tester. This machine can determine if your battery is still strong or on its way to failing. We can install a new battery in minutes, if needed, to fix this problem.

Swollen Battery Case

Extreme heat or cold can cause serious battery damage relatively quickly. A battery contains sulfuric acid, copper plates, an electrolyte solution, and other components that enable it to store and supply electricity. If you look at your battery and the case appears warped or distorted, your battery is failing due to extreme weather.

Drastic temperature affects the electrolyte consistency. If the temperature is too high, the electrolyte can boil off. This causes the copper plates to buckle and wreck the battery. The internal pressure created by the burning distorts the case. Very low temperatures freeze the electrolyte, increasing its size and forcing the battery case outward. We can’t repair this type of damage, but we can install a new battery for you.

Damaged Alternator

The battery uses a large amount of its stored electricity to start your engine. Once your engine is running, a mini generator called the alternator begins recharging the battery. A healthy alternator recharges the battery at full power for ten minutes, then switches to recharging at 10% power until the battery is charged.

A damaged alternator might not switch to reduced charging and will continue to charge at full power. This causes the battery to overheat, and the electrolyte will boil. If this happens, you smell a strong chemical smell from under the hood. We’ll replace the damaged alternator and test your battery to ensure it’s still in good condition.

If you have a battery problem, contact us ASAP at Ewald Volkswagen of Menomonee Falls, WI

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