3 Signs Your Nissan’s Battery Needs Replacement

The battery provides the electrical charge that cranks the engine so it can start. Over time, the battery will wear out or become damaged by other issues in the engine. As your Nissan dealership, we want you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a battery replacement. 

Swollen Battery Case

Your battery has a tough plastic casing with smooth, straight sides. The casing protects the battery chemicals from contamination and also prevents them from leaking into your engine. If you look at your battery and the case is distorted or bulges, the battery is seriously damaged. This distortion is caused by increased pressure inside the casing due to extremely hot or cold temperatures.


Cold temperatures cause the electrolyte solution to solidify and expand, forcing the casing to bulge outward. Hot temperatures can make the electrolyte boil. Since the boiling electrolyte increases pressure inside the battery, the casing will distort. We can’t repair a damaged battery case, but we can install a new battery to fix this problem.

Weak Alternator

The alternator is a mini generator that produces electricity for all your Ford’s systems once our engine is running. It’s also responsible for recharging the battery. As time passes, components wear out, and a worn alternator will gradually produce less power. The drop in power supply is irreversible and will affect recharging.


With less power available from the alternator, the battery can’t recharge completely. The amount of power used to start your engine is relatively fixed, and the reduced recharging rate will eventually drain your battery, causing it to fail. A failing alternator can also trigger the check battery light as a warning that something is wrong. We’ll test and replace the alternator if it’s weak and recharge your battery.

Check Battery Light

The check battery light illuminates in response to any problem affecting the electrical system. Sensors in the system monitor each component, and they’re sensitive enough to detect the slightest changes. This information is sent to your vehicle’s computer, which logs it and activates the warning light. A failing battery will trigger this light if its voltage output drops too low.


A healthy battery has a voltage output of approximately 12.6 volts. If it drops to 12 volts, this signals a problem. It could be as simple as a loose battery connector reducing the battery’s recharging ability, or it could be a more serious issue, like battery failure due to age or damage. Our technicians will connect your computer to our diagnostic system to identify the cause of the problem, and then we’ll repair it.


If you have a battery problem, contact us ASAP at Courtesy Nissan in Altoona, PA.

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