Your car battery is a critical component of your vehicle. It supplies the power which keeps your vehicle running. Without it, you cannot start the engine or operate any electrical components in your car. It's important to keep track of your car’s battery health—and replace it when necessary. If you're experiencing any of these issues, we recommend getting a new battery at our Fremont Foreign Auto repair shop as soon as possible: Your car battery is old The life span of car batteries depends on their make and model but most batteries last for about three years before they need replacement. You should get a new one if yours has been in use for more than three years or if it does not perform well anymore. You can see a swollen or cracked case or fluid leaking from your battery If you notice that your battery case has become swollen or cracked, this could be an indication the acid inside has leaked out and damaged the casing. A leaking battery means there's a risk of corrosion and other damage to your vehicle's electrical components if left unchecked. If you notice any unusual bulging or leaking from your battery, take it in to our auto repair shop for an inspection right away. You have to jump-start your car multiple times a week If you find yourself having to jumpstart your car multiple times per week, it could be a sign that your battery is dying. A dead battery causes corrosion on the terminals and cables, which makes it difficult to get a good connection when connecting jumper cables. The resulting power loss also means you'll be struggling to start the car even after jumping it. This can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if you're in an unsafe area or trying to start the car during bad weather. Your headlights are dimming at night If you notice that your headlights are dimming at night, this may be a sign of a bad battery. The alternator in your car uses electricity from the battery to power lights, wipers and other accessories while you drive. When the battery runs low on charge, it can't keep up with all of these demands—which means less power is available for these devices and they begin to dim. There's a burning smell when you start your car A burning smell means something is wrong with one of the electrical components inside your engine compartment—and oftentimes this means there's an issue with the battery itself or its connections between components, like wires or cables which run through various parts of your engine compartment. Conclusion If any of these issues sound familiar, you may have a dead battery and need to replace it. If you ignore them, it could lead to more serious problems down the road. At Fremont Foreign Auto, we'll install a new battery in your car or truck quickly and efficiently so you can get back on the road again.