When Do You Need a Car Battery Test?

When your car battery dies, it can turn a good day into a rough one. That’s why it’s important to know when your Charlotte Toyota battery is on the way out the door. Our expert auto service techs are making it simple™ to know the ins and outs of your car battery test.

Signs of a Failing Car Battery to Look Out For

It can be easy to keep an eye on your Charlotte Toyota car battery at home and know when it’s acting up. However, if you need some help spotting the signs of a failing car battery, then we’re here for you! If you notice any of the following signs, then you’ll want to go to Toyota of N Charlotte ASAP!

  • Car battery light pops up on your dashboard.
  • You notice that the battery case is swelling or looks bloated.
  • Smell a sulfur or rotten egg smell when you pop the hood open (this means your battery is leaking).
  • Your ride is slow to start or won’t start at all.

If you notice any of these signs of a failing car battery, schedule a car battery test at Toyota of N Charlotte. Our techs can do the test and do a physical inspection to see what’s going on under the hood.

Signs of a failing car battery

What to Do if Your Car Battery Test Fails

So, what happens if you know the signs of a failing car battery and have decided it’s time to schedule a battery test? Whichever place you choose to do this is your prerogative (but Toyota of N Charlotte is amazing at this). Alas, the person who tests the car battery will use a battery tester to send electricity through the battery. Next, the tester will give a simple readout as follows:

Good. If you have a good reading, it means your battery is doing great and should last at least another six months. However, winter and summer are harsh on your battery and with summers getting even hotter, this is bad news. Plus, if your test result reads “good,” the summer could take its toll, so be sure to keep an eye on this.

Weak. Also, if your test reading gives you a weak result, it means that your battery isn’t operating at its best performance. Living in harsh weather or leaving your lights on could kill your battery. And, even with jumper cables you can’t get to safety without another trustworthy person who has a car. (Don’t turn yourself into the next best horror film). But, you don’t have to replace it instantly. Just know that you’re running the risk of it dying when it’s the worst moment possible. Toyota of N Charlotte recommends replacing it at the time or soon after a weak test reading.

Replace now. If your car battery test reads “replace now,” then you need to replace your car battery now. This test result usually means that your battery is dead. Womp. Womp.

When to Schedule a Car Battery Test

At our dealership, we recommend having a car battery test done twice a year so that you’re always on the safe side. In addition, if you notice any of these issues with your battery, go ahead and schedule an appointment and we can check it out.

Stop by Toyota of N Charlotte!

Thinking you might need to get your battery checked out? We can help at 13429 Statesville Road. Take exit 23 off I-77 in Huntersville.