Wondering when to replace a car battery? If yes. Then you are at the right place. Read this article to know all about signs for car battery replacement.
When you take utmost care of your child, they become incredibly robust and are ready to face any life situation. Similarly, when we look after our cars and ensure they work to the best of their capability, their performance and longevity multiply.
Imagine that your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere due to battery failure.
You are searching for “car service near me” on google but not be able to locate any car mechanic nearby. You suddenly realize that the nearest car repair shop is around 20 km away. It is an absolute nightmare. A car’s battery is as important as the nerves of our body.
A car battery is an essential part of the whole mechanism. Without it, other car components cannot perform any activity. Besides changing the oil, filtering, and inspecting, we also need to look after our car’s battery. It is the component that every modern car needs to get started.
The car battery provides the electricity needed to start all the electrical components. It converts chemical energy into electrical energy that provides power to the car. It stabilizes the voltage and is essential to keep your engine running.
When buying a car, we choose them according to the comfort, model, engine’s capacity, and other new features. However, only a few people look for the car’s battery and warranty.
The car’s battery gets overworked, and we never look after them until they stop working. These faulty batteries are the top causes of multiple breakdowns and the need for roadside assistance.
Are you aware of when your battery needs replacement? What are the signs? Continue reading the article to find out the answers.
How To Know When To Replace A Car Battery?
The car battery shows signals, symptoms, and warnings when something goes wrong. Let us quickly look at the signs and warnings when your car battery needs help.
1. Engine Delays To Start
Our car works miles for us. Hence, your car battery’s internal components start to wear out after a point in time. When the battery gets worn out, it takes a longer time for the battery to receive the energy. You may have to wait a little longer for your car to start. This signifies that your car’s battery needs a replacement.
In such a scenario, you need not wait until the battery’s dead because damaged batteries could leave you stranded on the road at any time. So it’s better that you take it to a car repair shop and replace it when you face a delay in starting the engine. Also, your battery is dead if you hear clicking sounds when you try to turn your car on. In such cases, take your car to the auto care services as soon as possible.
2. Electrical Issues
The battery is the only power source for all the components in your car. If you find your power windows aren’t responding as before, then it is likely that your battery is dying. In cases where you face issues with door locks, the car’s stereo and the electric seats indicate that your car’s battery is weakening.
It must be noted that charging your mobile or using the music system very often could damage your battery. So if your battery loses its charge, these electrical systems have nowhere to go.
If you face difficulties with the electrical components, be sure that it needs an auto repair service. Keep a record of how long you use your battery’s electricity. The more you use the electricity, the sooner the battery will wear out.
3. Bad Odour
Do you notice a strange odour coming from your car? It’s a sign of a battery failure.
The battery starts leaking gas if there is a short circuit or the battery is damaged. Also, the rotten egg smell coming from your bonnet indicates that your battery is damaged and needs a car battery replacement. The Sulfuric acid present in the battery leaks if your battery is damaged. It’s referred to as outgassing.
The sulfuric acid is dangerous as it could damage or corrode other components. These acids might damage other parts of the car, and the expense of repairing them is higher than a car battery replacement. This isn’t a prevalent sign, Yet if you notice them be sure that you need the help of an auto care service.
4. Poor Performance
The performance of car batteries is pretty low when it is cold. People living in snowy or cold regions must be careful about their car battery’s health during the cold weather. Batteries freeze in the cold weather leading to slow reactions in the chemicals present in the battery. The battery requires maximum power in cold weather.
Eventually, the battery gets damaged as more and more energy is demanded to start the engine. During the winter, your battery weakens if you face difficulties starting your car. Before it gets cold, drive your car to an auto repair shop and get it checked.
5. Triggering Dashboard Light
Wouldn’t it be easier if your car could show a sign that it needs a battery service? That’s why all modern cars have signals depicting illuminating dashboard/ engine lights when they sense your car battery failing or if any other vehicle’s component is damaged. This means that the alternator is faulty or your battery has worn out. Anyway, you must consult with a car mechanic.
Even if the sign means a different issue, getting your battery tested wouldn’t cause you any harm. Also, you could notice that your headlights are dim and weak. This is because your battery’s failing.
A damaged battery could not fully power the electrical components of a car. Your interior lights may flicker and dim when the car starts. These all signs are a sign of changing your car battery.
When everything fails, consider how old the battery is and determine when to get your car battery replacement.
How Do You Know When Your Car Needs A New Battery?
When your car isn’t performing as before, then your car’s battery is failing. You could face a delay in your car starting. So, it’s time for a car battery replacement. Generally, a 12-Volt battery used in cars may last up to five years.
But the need for car battery service depends on driving patterns, how often the car comes into usage, auto care, climate, and other factors.
You need to be aware that some time or the other, these batteries lose charge and must be replaced. The primary signs include flickering interior lights or dim dashboard lights. It means that the battery is failing or there is an issue with the alternator.
How Can You Tell If Your Car Battery Is Going Bad?
Cars show us signs when things are off. If your car is acting strangely, then it needs help. The signs that we have mentioned above are a signal that the car battery is going bad.
When a car engine struggles to start and takes multiple tries, it’s a clear sign that the battery’s life is about to end. The illuminated battery light is a significant sign that your battery is failing. Illuminated battery lights are a sign for many, but it’s necessary to get your car checked.
A swollen or bloated battery signifies that your car needs a battery replacement. It may happen when the battery is overcharged or exposed to high temperatures.
Car batteries leak fluids or get damaged when you overly charge your car battery. This means it’s time for a new one.
How Long Does A Car Battery Last Before Needing To Be Replaced?
You must be wondering how long does one battery last? Let us consider this question in the following paragraph:
Generally, a car’s battery will last up to three years. Yet this is influenced by many factors such as driving pattern, battery brand, climate, vehicle model, and car care.
So how long does a car battery last? This is a widespread question. And you will be receiving divergent answers. Some batteries may last up to 5 or 6 years, while some need to be changed in two years.
In general, a car battery lasts up to three to five years. Even if you try to push your battery longer than five years, it could fail without a sign.
Consequently, manufacturers recommend replacing a car battery once it reaches five years old. Check your car battery and inspect it after three years of routine maintenance.
It’s essential to remember that batteries won’t last forever. Whether you drive your car or not, the need for replacement will arrive at some point.
There have been times when car makers advertised that their battery lasts up to 48 months, 60 months, and even 84 months. In recent times, they have stopped marketing cars using the battery element. No one could give a solid answer for how long a car battery can last because the durability of your car battery depends on multiple factors, from climate to driving patterns.
Sometimes, batteries get dead in mysterious ways. Some offer clues that failure is on the way, while many don’t. Hence, periodic checking of the entire car, including batteries, is necessary. Also, react immediately if you find your car acting strange.
Yet, there are some ways to enhance the durability of the battery.
How To Increase Car Battery Life? Pro Tips!
There are a lot of ways to enhance the car battery life. Let us look at some of the ways in the following paragraphs:
Using A Charger –
You can prolong the life of your battery by using a charger or tender if your car sits for a while or you don’t use it regularly.
Proper Maintenance –
Proper maintenance helps in prolonging the battery’s life. Regarding weatherly effects, cars with mounted batteries have an added advantage over batteries in the engine compartment. Ensure you securely fasten the battery in the tray for maximum vibration resistance.
Inspect the charging system, including the alternator and belts. When the battery is visible, inspect the terminals for corrosion and tightness. It would be best if you tightened the terminals snugly but avoided over-tightening them.
Check Car’s Headlights –
Moreover, double-check your car’s headlights and interior lights when you park, as many lights do not automatically turn off after the engine gets turned off.
Use A Maintainer –
Battery maintainers charge your battery on demand, preventing slow discharges. A battery will eventually die if it is discharged slowly and recharged slowly.
Get The Corrosion Off –
Maintain clean posts and clamps on your battery terminals and check them periodically for corrosion. Keeping corrosion at bay can be achieved by using corrosion washers and dielectric grease.
Don’t Remove Heat Blankets –
Install a heat blanket or a shield around vehicle batteries. The performance of these devices deteriorates over time, or they are removed and discarded. Ensure that you keep them around, as they protect your battery from hot elements under the hood.
Don’t Charge For Too Long –
Battery power is only used for starting your car, not for powering accessories. Consider an auxiliary battery or a deep cycle-starting combination battery that is better suited for discharge and recharge if you listen to the football game or power items with the car off at the campsite.
Conclusion
It’s essential to keep track of what’s happening in your vehicle and know when to test or replace your car battery. No matter what replacement battery you choose, make sure you keep track.
It is essential to conduct a battery test and maintain a consistent schedule to prevent sudden failure. You may not experience any warning signs.
You should monitor the power and ability of your battery, whether it needs to be replaced every three years or extended to five years or more.
