Why Is My Car Battery Leaking?

One of the most essential components of your vehicle is its battery, which keeps its engine running on the Minneapolis roads. If you notice that your car battery is leaking, you’ll want to get to the bottom of the problem right away before it starts causing significant damage to your vehicle (or to you). Fortunately, the service team at Land Rover Richfield has all the details on what could cause a car battery leaking acid, as well as safe disposal methods, in the guide below. 

What Causes a Car Battery to Leak?

As with most car-related problems, there are a few different reasons that a car battery could start leaking acid. If you’ve recently been in an accident or hit something with your vehicle, the battery could have been damaged. Batteries also wear out with time, becoming less effective and more vulnerable to leaks, which is why it’s important to stick to your service schedule and get the battery regularly replaced. 

Your car battery is also susceptible to cold weather and can become frozen, which causes it to expand and face extra pressure. Here are some common signs of a car battery leaking acid:

• There’s a crack in the battery.
• The cell caps aren’t sealed properly.
• The battery is warped.
• The battery is damaged.

Disposing of a Bad Battery

If you notice that your car battery is leaking, the most important thing you should do is not to touch it. Battery acid is extremely harmful, and you don’t want to be anywhere near it. Don’t try to dispose of the battery yourself! Instead, contact our service center (or the garage where you previously had your battery replaced), and head over so that an expert can dispose of it for you. If you aren’t able to get your battery replaced at a service center, contact a St. Paul-area recycling center instead.

Don’t Throw a Dead Battery in the Trash

You should never throw a dead battery away in the trash, whether it’s a leaky car battery or a standard AA or AAA household battery. Batteries are full of environmentally hazardous materials like lead and acid, which is why they’ve been defined as hazardous waste by the EPA since 1985. You can face significant fines if you throw a battery away in the trash, so be sure to leave it to the experts, or research how to dispose of batteries safely!

Keep Your Vehicle in Top Condition at Land Rover Richfield

If you’ve run into trouble with your battery, you’ll want to get it taken care of right away. Schedule a service appointment with Land Rover Richfield, and we’ll get you safely back on the Edina roads in no time! Be sure to keep an eye on our service specials if you’re interested in saving on your appointment.