How Does the Battery of a Vehicle Work?

The battery of a vehicle works through a series of steps. First, the car’s alternator generates electricity when the engine rotates it. Next, the alternator will send the electricity to the battery to recharge and make it available. Then, when the ignition key is turned on, the battery converts chemical energy to electrical energy. The energy cranks the engine and makes it start working.

How to Know if Your Vehicle Has a Faulty Battery

Any problem with the battery can cause the car not to start. It is easy to notice if there is a problem with your car. Vehicles give some signs when they have a faulty battery, and some of them are:

Slow Starting

It is the most popular sign of a faulty car battery. A bad or low battery may cause slow cranking, preventing the engine from starting on time. Although further investigation may reveal otherwise, a bad battery is still the leading cause of slow starting.

Frequent Jumpstarting of the Vehicle

The need to jumpstart the vehicle every time results from a bad battery. Jumpstarting includes starting a vehicle using a temporary connection from another source. In most cases, jumpstarting takes 5 minutes to start the car.

Corrosion

If there is a blue colored substance on the positive terminal of the battery, it is likely corrosion has occurred. Sometimes, the battery can give out fumes or leak acid. Often, this problem leads to a low voltage which will make the vehicle not start on time or at all.

Why is Your Car Battery Faulty?

Good battery performance is important to a stress-free driving experience. Your car battery may be faulty as a result of different reasons, and some of them are:

Aging

As the battery ages, it reduces in quality and may eventually stop working at a point. A car battery lasts about four to five years. However, the frequency of usage may only allow the battery to last for a short time.

Fast Charging

Some vehicles use an electrical battery. Unfortunately, fast charging this type of battery shortens its lifespan. In addition, it stresses the battery and may allow it to overheat, affecting the car’s overall performance.

Acid Stratification

Acid stratification occurs when the acid in the electrolyte does not mix with water. When this happens, sulfuric acid concentrates because of its lower density at the bottom of the battery case. As a result, the sulfate will begin to coat the positive and negative plates of the battery, thereby causing damage. After some time, the accumulated acid damages the battery plate and shortens the battery’s lifespan.

Fix Your Car Battery in San Leandro, CA

A car battery provides the electrical components of a vehicle with the energy needed to start the car. Therefore, the battery determines whether a car will start or not. After the car starts, the battery keeps supplying voltage to these components to keep the car running.

It is common to hear that the battery is the car’s powerhouse. Therefore, a bad battery can lead to poor performance of the car. Consult Precision Auto Care in San Leandro, CA, to replace your car battery. We offer battery replacement services needed to keep the vehicle running. Contact us through email at pacsl@paclsca.com or website at: https://pacslca.com/ or phone (510) 351-8211.