Why Does My Car Battery Take So Long to Start in Chantilly, VA?

Although your initial feeling toward your Lexus model not starting right away may be frustration, you should be aware that the cause is likely rooted in your battery. Learn from our Service Department at Pohanka Lexus about the various factors that can play a role in that component failing. 
Electrical Issues
Many of the problems that cause a battery to fail can stem from problems with the electrical system in your Lexus. For example, sometimes a wire may be faulty and cause the system it is a part of to continue to draw power even when the vehicle is off. That will result in the battery becoming discharged, leaving you with little energy to activate the engine to drive through Chantilly. Another common issue that could have such an adverse effect on your Lexus ES 300, IS 350, or LX 600 is accidentally leaving on lights when you depart your vehicle, like your cabin illumination or headlamps. The same concept applies to leaving devices plugged into your USB port overnight.
Weather 
The changing temperatures around Chantilly can also have an adverse effect on the battery in your car. For example, when the temperatures plunge in this area, the chemical reactions that occur inside of your car’s battery slow down, reducing the amount of available electricity. So, when you turn your key or press the ignition button, there may simply not be enough power to start the engine. If you leave your car parked in the sun on a hot summer day, you may find that your Lexus has the opposite problem. As the battery heats up in the parking lot of the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, the fluid inside your battery can evaporate. The lead plates inside the component can then become damaged by corrosion, and the exterior casing may swell up. The heightened temperatures can also make the battery discharge quicker as a result of faster chemical reactions taking place. Whether heat or cold impacts your battery, you have the option to get it inspected at Pohanka Lexus. 
Condition of the Battery
The physical condition of the battery in your Lexus can also make it take a long time to start the car. Corrosion building up on the terminals can limit the flow of electricity from the component to the car. That resistance to the flow of energy will create a challenging environment for your Lexus to start. The same concept applies to damage to the cables connecting the battery to the car. Other problems can occur under the hood of your vehicle, too. A buildup of debris, such as leaves, mud, or even nesting materials from animals, can cause enough damage to the battery or its connection components to make it struggle to start the car. If your Lexus is facing these problems and needs to be replaced, you can simply purchase a new battery from our Parts Department, and we can either install it for you or you have the option to replace it yourself.