- Slow or sluggish engine crank. If your engine turns over slowly before starting, especially on cold mornings, your battery may no longer hold a charge.
- Battery warning light on your dashboard. This light indicates a problem with the battery or charging system and should be diagnosed promptly.
- Electrical accessories behaving oddly. Flickering interior lights, a slow power window, or a radio that resets can point to a battery that's dropping voltage under load.
- Battery age of 3 to 5 years or more. Most batteries last 3-5 years in the Sacramento area climate. Heat accelerates wear, so older batteries should be tested annually.
- Car won't start after sitting overnight. If your vehicle starts fine after a jump but fails the next morning, the battery is likely no longer holding a charge between uses.
- Swollen or corroded battery case. Visible swelling or heavy corrosion around the terminals is a sign the battery has been overcharged or is past its service life.
A dead battery can leave you stranded without much warning. We perform a full battery and charging system test to tell you exactly what's going on before we do any work. If your battery needs replacing, we install one that meets the specs for your specific vehicle, whether that's a standard lead-acid unit for a Civic or an AGM battery for a Lexus ES or Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
Signs You Need a Battery Test or Replacement
Our Battery Service Process
1. Load Test the Battery
We test your battery under load to measure its actual output, not just its resting voltage. A battery can read 12.6 volts at rest and still fail under the demands of starting your engine.
2. Test the Charging System
A bad alternator will drain even a new battery. We check your alternator output and serpentine belt condition so you're not back in the shop in two weeks with the same problem.
3. Inspect Battery Terminals and Cables
Corroded terminals and frayed cables are common on vehicles over 5 years old. We clean the connections and flag any cable issues before they cause a failure.
4. Recommend and Install the Right Battery
We match the battery to your vehicle's factory specs. For hybrid models like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Honda Accord Hybrid, we confirm which battery system is involved and whether the 12V auxiliary battery is the source of the issue.
5. Reset Vehicle Systems if Needed
Some Honda and Acura models require a throttle relearn or power window reset after battery replacement. We handle these resets as part of the service so your vehicle behaves normally when you leave.
Why Choose Shannon Family Automotive
ASE-Certified Technicians Who Know Your Vehicle
Our technicians are ASE-certified and work on Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and Acura vehicles every day. We know the quirks of these models, from Honda's battery registration requirements to the dual-battery setup in some Toyota hybrids.
3-Year, 36,000-Mile Warranty on Parts and Labor
Every battery we install is covered by a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty. If there's a problem within that window, we make it right at no additional cost to you.
We Tell You What You Need, Not What's Easy to Sell
If your battery tests fine and the problem is your alternator or a parasitic drain, we'll tell you that. We don't replace parts that don't need replacing.
Serving Folsom and Surrounding Communities
We serve Toyota and Honda owners throughout Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rancho Cordova, and Gold River. Most battery replacements are completed the same day, often within an hour.
