The battery is important for your vehicle because it supplies the power to it. Without the battery, your vehicle will not even start. Also, the engine will not even turn over. Having a regular maintenance check can be beneficial to determine when the battery may need to be replaced. There are some signs you might notice if your battery is starting to lose power. If these happen, bring your vehicle in so we can inspect it for you. Sometimes your battery will just need to be charged. Other times the battery may need to be replaced, because with time and age, the battery has worn out. The Battery Light illuminates The most obvious sign that your battery may be encountering issues is if the battery light illuminates on your dashboard. Most vehicles have a light on the dashboard that will turn on as the battery is becoming faulty or going bad. As the battery nears the end of power it has, the dashboard light will be on constantly, or even be flashing. The battery warning light does not always indicate a battery that is dying. It does however appear when there is a problem with the battery. When this turns on, you should bring your vehicle in as soon as possible so we can inspect the vehicle as well as the battery. Issues with the electrical parts of your vehicle Another way you can notice if there might be an issue with the battery is by observing the electrical system of your vehicle. This includes the headlights, radio, fuel injection system, and the heating or air conditioning system. When the battery starts to go dead, all of these things will lessen in function when the vehicle is running. The more electrical items that are running the harder it will be to start your vehicle. It will also be hard to keep your vehicle running, as it may start to stall out. If you notice the headlights starting to become weaker, chances are the battery may be starting to drain. Your vehicle does not start If your vehicle does not start, or even has trouble starting, this may be related to the battery starting to go bad. When you turn the ignition to start the vehicle, you may hear a noise that sound like clicking or ticking. This can be a strong indication that the battery has been drained. By bringing in your vehicle, we can inspect it over. Sometimes it will need a charge rather than being replaced. After testing the battery and knowing the condition of it, we can alert you to what your options are. The life span of the battery On average, most batteries last from two to five years. If you have had the same battery for more than five years, and your vehicle is starting to lose power, it is more than likely the battery. If your vehicle has been sitting for a long length of time, the battery may have worn out naturally. Not starting the engine can decrease the life span of the battery greatly. One way to know for sure is to have the battery tested to see if it is still viable.