Close Why Does My Car Battery Take So Long to Start in Richmond, VA?
When you press the start button on your Lexus vehicle and hear the engine sputter before coming to life, it can be a worrying and frustrating experience. In this situation, the battery is one of the most common causes because it supplies the energy that kickstarts the powertrain. This guide from our Service Department here at Sheehy Lexus of Richmond dives into some of the most typical underlying problems and how you can pinpoint the specific issue!
Condition of the Battery
Over time, an RX 350 or TX 350’s battery will inevitably degrade after general use. While it delivers electric currents, corrosion gradually builds up around the battery’s terminals and can disrupt its ability to charge and discharge energy. Fortunately, this is an easily identifiable problem — just look for a scattering of white or greenish residue around the cables. A careful cleaning should have things working normally. Rust can cause similar disruptions, and the often wet or snow-covered roads of Richmond can accelerate that kind of buildup. A less common but more frustrating problem is animal damage, caused by squirrels or other rodents sneaking under the hood to hide from the elements and nibbling on wires. We recommend opening the hood of your vehicle at least a couple of times a year to visually inspect the battery for these problems, as they can occur even in recently installed parts.
Electrical Issues
While the battery’s primary responsibility is starting the vehicle, it also powers the GX 550 and IS 350’s other electric elements. This can range from the headlights and windshield wipers to the wireless charging pad and sound system. If any of these systems develop an issue, they can drain the battery even while the car is off and parked while you’re enjoying an afternoon at Ancarrow’s Landing, and cause delays when you try to start it again. Accidentally leaving a door ajar or a USB device plugged in overnight can also deplete its charge level if the vehicle’s built-in safeguards against parasitic draw fail. If you’ve noticed any odd electrical issues in your Lexus, we recommend scheduling a service appointment so that our experts can track down the cause.
Other Mechanical Issues
Every Lexus model features a complex, highly refined powertrain with a wide array of moving parts. Many of them can wear down over time and cause problems that resemble a battery issue and lead to rough starts. Starters, fuel injectors, alternators, and spark plugs are all potential culprits. Identifying which of these is the root cause is difficult without expert knowledge and specialized tools. If you think any of them could be the source of your woes and delayed commutes down I-95, we recommend visiting us so that our technicians can provide a genuine Lexus replacement from our Parts Department!
How Often Should I Replace a Lexus Car Battery?
- We recommend replacing the battery in your Lexus vehicle every three to five years, though it can vary depending on the environment and your driving habits.
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Great customer service from Harry at Lexus. ”
“ The service team is amazing here, particularly the service advisor Mark Solomon. I know it is a team effort, so it obviously includes the entire team that supports him outside of his excellent customer service skills. I brought my vehicle in for Sheehy warranty work and while it was purchased at another dealership of Sheehys, Mark still provided excellent service that is above and beyond what I expected for a dealership. If you want to be taken care of during and after your purchase, then I would highly recommend Sheehy Lexus for your automotive choice or any Sheehy dealership for that matter. You should gladly decide to spend your money with the Sheehy dealership group over any others. The core of business is to make profit and grow but Sheehy also has done a great job with customer service, and it shows. I want to get back to Mark Solomon and the reason for this review. If you have the option to choose a service advisor, then I would most definitely select him and while his counterparts might be great, I think he might be hard to surpass. I hope Sheehy will use him in the future to mentor and or maybe oversee all the service advisor in Sheehy dealership group. ”
“ Great service and communication. It’s always an awesome experience with Sheehy Lexus. Shout out to Harry for going above and beyond to make me feel special during every visit!!! ”
“ Maintenance appointment was easy and quick…Service technician Lucas was nice and professional. ”
“ We needed emergency help as our car broke down while making a long trek down to Florida. Sheehy Lexus was great, they stayed open for us while we got towed in, checked out the car the next day, and we made a plan to move forward. Excellent communication and help provided from Lucas and others! ”
“ Great, Service providers! while my RX 350 was in for service. Service Advisor Hope is professional and provided great maintenance advice and preventative service recommendations. I will go back! Thanks, Sheehy Lexus of Richmond! ”
“ Michael was my Service Technician for my last visit. He was pleasant and made sure I received timely updates while my car was being serviced!! I love the service videos sent with details of what was done and their findings! ”
“ A pothole popped my tire and I had my vehicle towed to Sheehy Lexus. The communication was excellent, they kept me informed through the whole process through texts, calls and even a video of my vehicle. Kyle was very helpful and nice to work with. I highly recommend Sheehy Lexus. ”
“ Mark was amazing! Took good care of me and my care. Great customer service. He represents himself and the company well. Always kept me up to date as my car was being serviced. ”
“ Guys, I had the most amazing experience at Sheehy Lexus of Richmond. I specifically want to say thank you to my service advisor Brittany Sealey, she went above and beyond helping me and was very pleasant and understanding she’s amazing! ”
“ 1st time at this dealership for 15K ES350 check up. Sparkling clean facility from drop off area to waiting area. Mark kept me informed on status. Glad to be part of service maintenance moving forward. ”
“ First time getting service..Harry was very friendly. ”
“ Hope is great at her job! ”
“ Best buying experience ever! They worked to find us exactly what we wanted, and treated us like we were their most important customers throughout the entire process. I can’t recommend them highly enough! ”
“ I had a great experience working with Jake to buy my new 350-H. He was easy to reach, communicative, and straightforward about the process. ”
“ Ab A. Is the best. ”
“ Harry did a fantastic job. He kept me informed, reviewed anticipated repairs, and provided advice. Thank you ”
“ I loved my experience with Jake and vennie in the process of selling a car to me. Will refer others ”
“ To whom it may concern, I came to the Lexus dealership for a state inspection and a few additional services, but I also needed to visit a loved one in the hospital that day. Michael was instrumental in making sure I was able to get to the hospital and back without stress or delay. His kindness, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond meant more than he probably realizes. In a moment when my focus was on family, he and the entire support staff stepped up in a way that truly reflected excellence and care. I am deeply grateful for Michael. Experiences like this remind me of why I will always purchase a new vehicle from Sheehy and remain a proud Lexus owner for life.-Reese W ”
“ Kyle is soooo wonderful, she should be given a raise!!! ”
“ Hope was very helpful and personable during my service visit. She tried to make the process seamless, even with the loaner vehicle. She was also timely in advising of additional service recommendations and understanding and accommodating. ”
“ Excellent help and service ”
“ The service department is great! Communicative and efficient. They want you to be happy. Nice snacks and drinks as well.😉 ”
“ Professional and easy car buying process ”
“ Our service representative, Hope, was punctual, kept me informed and patiently explained recommendations . Thank you! ”
I actually enjoy going to Sheehy, everyone is very
“ I actually enjoy going to Sheehy, everyone is very friendly and helpful, the service is great and I’ve always walked away satisfied and well informed. You can’t beat the drinks and snacks and plug ins, etc for your computer. Also, our service advisor Harry Whittington is very attentive and informative. ”
“ I would just like to express how pleased I was with my experience at Lexus of Richmond working with Anthony Ruggiero. This was my very first experience buying a brand new car, so I didn’t know much about the process. Amthony did an outstanding job helping me navigate through the entire process. He was very knowledgeable, kind, patient and professional. He made sure I bought the right Lexus for me. I am very happy with my purchase and thankful that I was blessed with the opportunity to work with him. Thank you Anthony for everything. You’re AMAZING. ”
“ Excellent customer service and overall a great experience at this dealership ”
“ BAIT & SWITCH!!! Yesterday evening, I received a notification of a 2012 Lexus at the dealership on Midlothian. I checked to be sure it was really there and made an appointment to see it at 11:30 this morning. The person sent three emails to me confirming everything. But when I arrived at 11:30 this morning, they told me someone had just bought it. I've seen bait & switch from used car lots but I expected more from this dealership. ”
“ It took an entire business day to get photos of a car we were highly interested in on Friday. We were not given the option for deposit. We were told to arrive Saturday before 1pm. We called and emailed Saturday on business opening to say we were on our way to purchase the vehicle. After driving two hours one way, and no returned call or email, the car was sold and taking new owner photos when we arrived. This was at 11:32am arrival. The salesperson offered a car we could've purchased 10 miles away. There was no communication and we knew it was a car that would sell quickly. We did everything on our part and had cash but couldn't get basic communication from sales. After a completely wasted Saturday, I would only go here if you live locally and are talking to someone at a desk. ”
“ I had some issues with my Lexus so I took it to Shehee Lexus of Richmond. I was greeted by Mark and he was very helpful through the whole process. He answered all my questions and was very communicative while my car was being worked on. ”