3 Signs Your Toyota’s Battery Needs Replacement

The battery is one of the most important components in your Toyota, as it supplies the power necessary to start your engine. If your battery is weak, the only way to start the engine is by jump-starting.  As your Toyota dealership, we want to tell you a few signs you need to visit us for a battery replacement.

Old Battery

The most common reason a battery fails is due to age. A car battery has a relatively short life of only three to five years, and this is caused by the natural breakdown of the battery’s chemicals. As the chemicals break down, electricity storage capacity drops, and eventually, the battery can’t store enough power to start your engine.

Fortunately, you can prevent the dreaded click-click of a dead battery through regular battery testing. We recommend annual battery testing starting from the battery’s third year. We connect your battery to our computerized battery tester, which subjects it to various stress tests. If your battery is still healthy, we’ll test it in a year. If it’s weak, we can replace it while you wait.

Illuminated Battery Warning Light

The battery warning light on your dash looks like a line drawing of a battery. It lights up when your engine starts and should switch off within seconds. If the light remains on, it signals a problem with the electrical charging system, which includes the battery, alternator, wiring, and other components. Sensors are connected to all these components and warn your computer if these components aren’t working correctly.

A weakening battery will trigger this light if its voltage output drops below a certain level. A healthy battery supplies 12.6 volts at full charge, but this output will drop if the battery is weak or damaged. If the voltage output drops to 12.4 or less, the battery isn’t recharging correctly. Battery recharging problems could also be caused by a damaged alternator or worn wiring. We’ll examine the charging system and fix the issue or replace your battery if it’s failing.

Dim Lights

Dim headlights or cabin lights can mean their bulbs need replacement, but they can also mean your battery is failing. You can identify the cause of this problem by checking the light brightness when the engine is switched off, then start your Toyota and recheck the brightness. If the lights are equally dim, the bulbs are failing. If the lights are brighter when your engine is running, your battery is weak.

When the engine is switched off, your vehicle systems depend on the battery for their electricity needs. Once the engine is running, the alternator supplies electricity to all the systems. We’ll test your battery and replace it if needed to fix this issue. If you have a battery problem, contact us today at Toyota of Kent in Kent, OH.

Tags: Battery Replacement, Toyota Service in Kent OH
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