3 Signs Your Honda’s Battery Needs Replacement

Old Age

Age is one of the most common reasons for battery failure. A battery uses copper plates and chemical reactions to store electricity as chemical energy. As time passes, the sulfuric acid inside the battery slowly breaks down, causing the battery’s electricity storage capacity to drop. Since the amount of power needed to start the engine is relatively stable, the reduced storage ability means the battery can’t store enough power to start the engine.

The average battery life is three to five years. This can increase by another year with careful usage, or it can drop depending on driving and environmental conditions. As your dealer, we recommend annual battery testing starting in your battery’s third year. Our computerized battery tester will identify if your battery is weak and needs replacement. If you need a new battery, we can install it while you wait.

Corroded Terminals

As we saw above, sulfuric acid breaks down naturally and releases hydrogen gas as a byproduct of the breakdown process. The hydrogen gas will escape the battery and enter the engine compartment to mix with sulfur molecules and form hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a dangerous, toxic chemical that is easy to identify as it smells like rotten eggs.

Hydrogen sulfide is attracted to the battery terminals and forms an acidic salt-like substance around them. This acidic salt will eat into the terminals, further disrupting the weak battery’s ability to store and supply power. We can temporarily remove the corrosion, but it will return as the battery leaks hydrogen. We’ll need to replace the battery to fix this issue.

Failing Alternator

The alternator’s job is to generate electricity for your Honda’s systems. Some of its electricity production is used to recharge the battery to maintain it at full capacity. The alternator is a relatively long-lived component, usually only needing replacement after approximately eight years. Age will cause the alternator to slow down due to old, worn components, and this causes problems for your vehicle’s electricity supply.

As the alternator slows down, it produces less electricity. The weaker the alternator becomes, the less power is available to recharge the battery, and this causes the battery to drain and fail. We’ll examine the alternator and replace it if it’s damaged. We’ll also check that the battery is still strong enough to be recharged or install a replacement if it’s worn out.

If you have a battery problem, contact us ASAP at Coeur d’Alene Honda in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

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