Why are Regular Battery Inspections Necessary?
The battery is the heart of your vehicle. Whether your vehicle is gas-powered, hybrid, or electric, regular maintenance and preventative measures can help make sure that small problems don’t turn into extensive costly repairs.
But routine inspections of the battery – like checking the voltage and amperage output or checking for damaged or corroded cables – is only part of verifying that the charging circuit is in top shape. In gas-powered and hybrid vehicles, diagnostic tests can confirm that your starter is drawing the correct amount of voltage or whether your starter is wearing out. A complete electrical system inspection also confirms whether your alternator is generating the right amount of voltage and all components are working in harmony with each other.
Electric vehicle batteries, on the other hand, are very different from a regular car battery. Precautions must be taken to ensure your EV battery is conditioned to perform at its peak rate. KIA Victoria technicians are factory trained to service the specialised batteries found in your EV, PHEV, or HEV.
Electric Vehicle Batteries
For information on electric vehicles, visit Kia University. You’ll find numerous articles on the subject, including the 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make with EV Batteries. Find our extensive Electric Vehicle Library here. Or check out our EV Maintenance Page here.
Signs You May Need a New Battery
Slow Engine Crank
When you start your car, does it take longer than it used to for the engine to “turn over”? This may be due to a degraded battery not supplying as much power to the alternator as it once did. The battery may likely be the culprit if it is more than 4 or 5 years old. Batteries older than this may start to become unreliable.
Check Engine Light/ Battery Leak/ Low Fluid
The check-engine light often comes on when the battery is supplying less power than it should. A lit check-engine light should never be ignored. In all situations, it is advisable to have a KIA service technician perform a diagnostic test when the check engine light appears.
A Physical Inspection of the Battery
If you’re so inclined, you can take a quick peek under the hood. If there is an excess build up of residue and corrosion around the battery posts (where the + and - connections are), your car may struggle to start. Plus, fluid levels can be checked through the clear part of the battery casing. If the level is below the lead casing, it is time to have the battery system tested.
Something Just Isn't Right
You've hit the start button and it doesn't turn on. Your lift gate opens no problem with the battery, but when you're in the car you hear a clicking sound and the car won't start. The car says it doesn't recognize the keyfob, or asks you to do a "low battery key fob start" by holding the fob against the start button... but it still doesn't start. If it doesn't add up, chances are it's your car's battery.