Every car owner has had at least once been stuck with a dead battery in their car. Most of the time, it’s because they missed the warning signs that the car battery requires to be replaced. In this article, we’ll tell you how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced, so that you are never stuck in this situation!
How to Know if Car Battery Needs to be Replaced –Major Signs for Replacing Car Battery
1. Slow Engine Turn Over
If you have driven a car for a while now, you are presumably aware of that unpleasant sound of an engine that will not turn over. If you turn over the keys and see that your car takes a good few seconds before the engine gets going, it’s most likely because you need a new battery.
The battery is one of multiple essential parts that make the engine run. The battery gives energy to the starter and ignition system in your car. Then the starter turns a flywheel which then starts your engine. So you see, a lot happens in that short amount of time between you turning your key and your engine starting.
Unfortunately, if your engine requires a few moments to turn over, it’s probably because your battery is at the climax of its life. Drive your car to your car service store when you notice your engine acting like this so you can replace your battery and not need to hop your car off!
2. Flickering Dashboard Lights
Your battery is not only accountable for getting your engine launched, but also supplying electricity to your vehicle’s other electrical parts, also including the dashboard. A dashboard provides important information for the driver of the car as they drive. Therefore, if there’s a problem, you need to fix it as soon as you can.
In case you see flickering lights on your dashboard, it probably does not have anything to do with the dashboard itself, but could be a potential signal of a dying battery. So, when you see the flickering lights, buy a battery as soon as possible. Don’t wait too long until your battery dies and you need a ride to the auto store!
Keep in mind that dulled dashboard lights can potentially signal an aging battery, but the lights can be dim for different reasons too. Some cars have light dimmers, and if you by mistake bump it, you may dim your dashboard lights without actually realizing it. Problems with the alternator may also cause dimmed dashboard lights. Hence, if your lights are dim and a fresh battery does not fix the problem, it could be a manual error or alternator problem.
3. Windows Rolling Slowly
Another situation where everything seems natural when you turn the keys. Your engine starts just nice, dashboard lights are also bright. But then you try rolling down your windows when the engine is not started. Is it taking forever? It is one of the subtle indications that your battery is probably on its way to be dead.
Now, dying batteries are not the only reason for slow-rolling windows. There might be a malfunctioning window motor, damaged track guides, or even a worn out window regulator. So, if your windows are rolling slowly, up or down and your car is showing other signs from this article, you probably need to replace your battery.
4. Dim Headlights When Idling
If the battery is missing power, you will see that all the vehicle’s electrical segments suffer the effects. For example, when you’re idling in your vehicle, you may see your headlights go dim. Then, when accelerating, they light right back up. This one is a tell-tale hint that the car battery requires to be replaced.
Hence, once you see your headlights are functioning like this, replace the battery as soon as you can. A swift effort will prevent you from ending up stuck and in need of help!
In case, your headlights are dim when even when you’re accelerating or braking, the battery is probably not the problem. The alternator may need to be repaired, or you may also need a whole new alternator belt. The best thing to do is take your car in for a professional check so you can deal with the crisis and render the essential repairs.
5. Corrosion
The car battery needs to be clean. A light build-up is natural, but there should not be an unreasonable amount of corrosion coating the battery. There are many reasons why there might be signs of corrosion on the battery. A few are –
- Leaking battery fluid
- Escaping gases
- An old battery.
Whatever the cause of corrosion is, you should deal with it immediately. In maximum cases, the grainy build-up signals that your battery has to be replaced, particularly if the battery is more than five years old.
6. Old Battery
The ultimate sign that the car battery needs to be replaced is related to how old it is. Car batteries last about three years. Handful lasts longer, nearer to the five-year mark. It also depends on the climate conditions and your driving practices, your battery can die sooner or later.
Hence, when your battery reaches the three years mark, take it to your local automotive shop and have it checked. They usually test the battery free of money. This test provides you a rough idea of how much life the battery has left. So, if the test discloses that your battery needs to be replaced, do it since you’re already at the store!
Conclusion
No one ever wants to be in the position they need to replace the car battery but they neglected it. Not replacing your car battery is not only uncomfortable but also frustrating as there are notifying signs that the battery is reaching the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
By being aware of signs that your car battery needs to be replaced, you will never put yourself in a situation where your battery’s lifeless! Be careful of signals of an almost dead battery, and get a new one as soon as possible.
