It can be challenging for car owners to keep track of all the various parts of their vehicles. The car battery is a frequently ignored component, although it is crucial for starting the vehicle and powering the electronics. Often, car owners ignore the warning indications that their vehicle battery is nearing the end of its lifespan. Some warning indicators may appear before a car battery dies. Are you having trouble determining whether your battery is about to die?
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Seven Typical Signs a Car Battery Needs to be Replaced
1. Your Car Takes Time to Start
Maybe you recently noticed that your engine takes longer to start than it used to. Maybe when you start the car, the lights flicker, or there is a weird sound. All these signs point to a battery that is about to die. Get your car’s starting system examined or its battery replaced by a professional before the battery fails.
2. Countless Jumpstarts
Repeated jump starts indicate that the battery is running out prematurely. You may have to double-check your warranty and get a new battery. Even though it is rare, an electrical component that uses power when the car is turned off might deplete the battery.
You will most likely run out of battery power if you unintentionally leave the car lights on. To avoid paying for a new car battery, it’s necessary to have a professional analyze the car and determine the root cause of the constant jump starts before making the purchase.
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3. Not Using a Car Battery for an Extended Period
If the battery is left unused for an extended period, you risk it dying. Your driving habits have a significant influence on the life of your battery. Although you may believe that driving regularly harms the condition of your battery, this is not the case. The battery in your car charges up as you drive, and it depletes if you leave it unused for a lengthy period. Having family or friends drive your car now and then will help protect the battery from dying while you’re away.
4. Intolerance to the Changes in Weather
When the temperature rises dramatically, your car battery may react to the fluctuations. Intense heat causes the water in the battery’s internal fluids to evaporate, resulting in the corrosion of the battery’s inside components. Engine oil moves slowly in cold weather because of a decrease in battery chemical reaction. Therefore, the car requires additional power to start, and this reduces the battery’s life span.
It’s best to get a new battery rather than deal with these complications. In addition, a new battery is a simple solution for seasonal fluctuations. The battery casing might expand or break if it is exposed to extreme heat or cold. The battery’s life will be shortened because of this problem, so it’s better to replace it before it runs out totally.
5. Bad Smell
A leaking battery might cause the rotten egg odor you smell when you open the bonnet. There should be no fumes or liquids coming from a functioning vehicle battery. Batteries that have been damaged or overcharged emit hydrogen sulfide. This corrosive gas has the potential to erode other engine parts. However, it is unlikely that it will reach that extent. Because it can leak into the cabin, you should be able to smell it as you drive.
6. A Car Battery That Is Old
A battery is old if it has been in use for over three years. But if the battery is inspected yearly after it has reached the 3-year mark, it can last almost 5 years. Battery brand, driving behavior, electronic requirements, car type, and weather all impact battery life.
When a battery reaches the age of three years, take it to your local vehicle store to get it tested. They usually test your battery at no cost to you. This test determines how much life is left in it. If a battery test shows it has to be replaced, buy a new one.
7. Significant Corrosion
Conduct routine corrosion checks on the positive terminal. When you open the hood of your vehicle, the battery must be clean. While some accumulation of light is typical, you should not find extensive corrosion on the battery. Several factors might cause corrosion on a battery, such as leaky battery fluid, gas leaks, and an aging battery.
Whatever the source of corrosion is, you need to fix it as soon as you can. You will notice a buildup of granules in your battery if it’s been over five years since you last changed it. Despite cleaning the battery, it will get corroded again. Therefore, getting a new battery is the best option.
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Conclusion
Always make sure your car battery is replaced when it needs to be. When a battery is about to die, there are usually some telling signs. Keep an eye out for these 7 signs of a failing battery and replace it as soon as possible.