If you are fortunate, your Mazda’s battery will give you signs before it dies completely. Otherwise, you may end up with a dead battery when you least expect it. One way to avoid this is to keep the age of your battery in mind and understand that the expected lifespan is about three to four years. Mazcare can replace your Mazda’s battery if it needs it. Here are signs that it does.
Clicking Sounds
You turn the key in the ignition and all you hear is clicking. This is an indication that the starter solenoid is not being powered. The problem could be with the starter solenoid itself, or it could be that the battery is not providing enough power to the solenoid and, as a consequence, it cannot start. The starter solenoid is a little engine inside of your engine that is designed to get your vehicle started. It is powered by the battery.
Cranking Before Ignition
You may also hear your engine crank several times before it ignites if the battery is going bad. This is a sign that you should get the battery tested and replaced right away. It’s only a matter of time before the battery in your Mazda dies completely and you won’t be able to get your car or crossover started. You shouldn’t hear the engine crank when you turn the key in the ignition or press the start button. Rather, it should fire up right away.
Light Problems
If you suspect that your battery is dying, drive your Mazda in the dark and assess how bright the headlights are. Oftentimes, when the battery starts to go bad, the headlights will dim. You will also notice that the lights inside of your Mazda are also dimmer than they normally are. This includes the dashboard light that illuminates the dashboard at night so you can see your gauges easily.
Needing Gas
Finally, when we say needing gas, we mean that you must press down on the accelerator to get your Mazda to start. This is not normal, and it can be a sign of battery failure. You shouldn’t have to press down on the accelerator to get your Mazda to fire up. Rather, the Mazda should fire up right away when you turn the key in the ignition or press the start button.
Mazcare in Marietta, GA, can help. As we said above, we can test your battery and replace it if necessary. Call us today to set up an appointment.