Without a healthy battery, your Alfa Romeo will struggle to perform efficiently and eventually won’t be able to run at all. It’s therefore important to be aware of the signs that could indicate your battery is coming to the end of its lifespan. Your local Alfa Romeo dealership can provide advice as well as offer a battery replacement service when needed.
4 Warning Signs Your Alfa Romeo Battery May Be Failing
1: Electrical Glitches
Everyone expects a failing battery to cause difficulties with the engine starting, but this isn’t always the first sign. If you notice your electrical system developing glitches, it can indicate your battery is beginning to fail. This could be non-functioning windows or flickering headlamps, but could also include malfunctions such as alarms triggering randomly or windows suddenly opening.
2: Unpleasant Odors
If you notice unpleasant odors in your cabin, a failing battery may be the cause. Leaking battery fluid can produce a rotten egg smell, caused by the chemical reactions creating hydrogen sulfide gas. Leaking fluids can also cause corrosion and may damage surrounding cables or engine components, leading to a burning smell. Any kind of unusual smells in your car should always be promptly investigated.
3: Failing Auto Stop-Start Feature
The automatic stop-start feature on Alfa Romeo cars provides excellent fuel efficiency, as well as reducing carbon emissions while your engine is idling. However, this relies on your battery being able to deliver sufficient power on demand. While you’re in the car, there may be multiple other functions drawing on the battery, such as the radio and climate control. This can mean there’s not enough left for your car to complete the auto stop-start function.
4: Gears Won’t Shift
Modern Alfa Romeo models such as the Stelvio and Giulia have a system that’s completely electronic, including the gear shifter. This means that in order to shift gears, an electronic signal needs to be sent to the transmission rather than relying on a mechanical shift. If the battery is starting to fail, the gears may be stuck in Park and refuse to move.
It’s natural to assume that any gear difficulties point to a fault with the transmission, but it may simply mean that it’s time to replace your battery. Your dealership can run diagnostics to check the cause.
Schedule a Service at Your Local Alfa Romeo Dealership
It’s a good idea to have your Alfa Romeo serviced regularly at your local dealership. They can check your battery health as well as carrying out a range of other diagnostics and performing repairs.
If you think you have a problem with your battery or you want to schedule a service, we can help. Contact us here at Alfa Romeo of Strongsville in Strongsville, OH for professional advice you can trust.
