Volkswagen of Inver Grove Battery Services

Battery service comes up when your car's service light comes on, indicating a problem with the electric system. The battery is the first thing to check, as it is the most common problem. In addition to testing the battery to confirm it needs replacement, it's worth taking the time to determine the underlying cause. It might be a dead battery that no longer holds a charge properly. It's worth checking to make sure the alternator is working properly, all the connections are secure, and there isn't a parasitic drain causing the battery to go dead when the vehicle isn't running.

There are two reasons a battery can stop working properly. The first is simply the age of the battery, even though it is designed for such use it can only handle a finite amount of discharge and charging cycles. The second reason is that after a battery is fully discharged, it won't recharge efficiently afterward. Common causes of full discharge are leaving the lights on, having the alarm go off when you aren't aware of it and turn it off quickly, or running the radio and other accessories extensively when the car isn't running. In theory, the battery should only be used briefly to start the vehicle, then the alternator runs the electric system and recharges the battery. If the starter has to run for extended periods before the engine turns over, this can also cause a battery to be drained. Check out our service & parts coupons for savings on maintenance.