Knowing when to replace a car battery can be tricky, but there are some signs to look out for. In this post, we’ve put together 7 ways how to know if a car battery needs to be replaced- indicators that tell you it’s time for a new battery, battery health maintenance tips, and the causes of a dying battery.
Are you having trouble starting your car? Does the engine struggle to turn over? You may be worried that your car battery is on its last legs. It is important to always check the behavior of the vehicle while starting. The better option is to monitor the health of the battery so that you do not get stuck in the middle of anywhere in the case when the car is not starting.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
- Change your car battery every three years to ensure optimal performance.
- Check the acid level of your battery regularly and top up as needed.
- Be careful when adding water, as over-filling can cause damage to the battery.
- Conduct a battery load test to make sure your battery is working correctly.
- Clean your battery regularly with a cloth or brush to prevent corrosion and the buildup of dirt or grime.
- Keep your car’s cables tied together so they don’t become loose or disconnected.
- Don’t leave your car idle for long periods of time; take short rides to keep the battery charged and healthy.
- During the winter, keep your car’s battery warm with a blanket or other insulating material to prevent freezing temperatures from damaging it.
- Inspect and check the condition of your jumper cables regularly in case you need them in an emergency situation.
How To Know If A Car Battery Needs To Be Replaced: 7 Signs
- Slow Cranking/Turning Over Of The Engine
- Electrical Malfunctions
- Dashboard Lights & Lighting Issues
- Age
- Low Voltage
- Cracked Battery
- Bad Car Odor
1. Slow Cranking/Turning Over Of The Engine:
Does your car have difficulty starting the engine or not turning over? If the engine takes multiple tries to start or is slow to crank, it could indicate that the battery needs to be replaced. With the passage of time effectiveness of the battery decreases due to wear out. Because batteries take a slightly longer time to generate the required current for the starter motor. The slow starting of the vehicle is a strong indication that there is an issue.
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2. Electrical Malfunctions
If your car is having electrical problems, such as radio static or power windows that don’t work, it could be a sign that your battery needs to be replaced. The battery is the only power source for all electric components of the vehicle including the radio, lights, and ECU. If the battery is facing issues in charging or is in a bad condition, then it will face a tough time running all electrical accessories. As you will plug more things like a mobile charger into your car, the battery will die faster.
3. Dashboard Lights & Lighting Issues
Dim headlights or other dashboard lights that are not as bright as usual are a sign of a dying battery. Most modern vehicles generate a battery light. If you see a battery light in your dashboard, then it might be due to running out of battery. For every battery light, find the exact reason behind it. Sometimes, a loose connector also causes to generate a battery light on the dashboard. Visit the mechanic to replace the battery of the vehicle if the light indicates that the battery is creating the issue.
4. Age
The life of the battery of the vehicle is affected due to the driving condition and temperature conditions of the environment. According to the battery and car manufacturers, the average life span of a battery of a vehicle is about 3-5 years. So, it is necessary to regularly check the battery when the time of 3 years is over.
5. Low Voltage
If the voltage of your car’s battery falls below 12 volts, then it will most likely need to be replaced. A white ashy type material deposited on the terminal of the battery might be due to a corrosion issue. Corrosion of the terminal of the battery cause hindrance to supplying the voltage required for the proper functioning of the battery. So, check for corrosion before replacing the battery.
6. Cracked Battery:
Extreme temperature conditions affect the functioning of the battery. Extreme cold and heat conditions will cause swelling in the battery due to which cracks may appear. If you notice a crack in the battery contact the mechanic to find the solution to the issue.
7. Bad Car Odor
The battery will leak gas due to damage or an internal short circuit. If you sense the smell of rotten eggs after opening the hood of the vehicle, then it might be due to the leakage in the battery. Immediately visit the mechanic to check the battery and replace it if needed.
Causes Of The Car Battery Dying
Having a car battery die can be an extremely inconvenient and frustrating experience, leading to long periods of waiting for help or searching for a store open late. Here, we will explore the common causes of car batteries dying in order to help people better understand why their vehicle’s battery may fail them
- Batteries have a life span like humans after which they die. Battery life decrease continuously even in ideal operating conditions they stop working if their life span is over.
- Weather also affects the life of the battery. Heat act as a catalyst to increase the reaction rate of the battery but too much heat effects negatively on its performance. Due to this reason, the life of the battery in hot areas is about three years due to high temperatures. While the life of the battery is about five years or longer in cooler climates. Extreme cold temperatures can weaken the performance of your car battery and cause it to die more quickly than usual.
- Another important factor that reduces the life of a vehicle’s battery is vibration. Vibration results in the breakdown of the internal components of the battery. To solve this issue, secure the batteries in a hard casing in order to reduce the vibration. Missing or loose hold-downs significantly decrease the life of the battery. If the connections to your car battery are not secure, this can cause the battery to die quickly.
- A less common reason is the malfunctioning of the charging system of the vehicle. If your car’s alternator isn’t working properly, it won’t be able to keep your battery charged as it should be. Over or undercharging the battery also reduce its life. Some car makers provide strategies for the long life of the battery by carefully controlling the charging routine.
- Parasitic Loads – Some electronics in your car can draw power even when they’re not in use, which can drain your battery faster than normal.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some cars can work with the same battery for six years but some batteries need to replace the battery after three years. While on the average life of the battery of a vehicle is about three to five years. Replacing the battery of the car is also included in routine maintenance.
The average cost of a car battery is between $50 and $200, depending on the type of battery and make and model of your vehicle. Premium batteries can cost more than standard ones. Prices also vary based on the group size, cold cranking amps, and warranty length.
Nowadays, in most modern vehicles battery light is generated for the issues of the vehicle. You need to check the code from the OBD-2 diagnostic tool that whether it is for the battery.
To be honest it is quite easy to replace the battery of the vehicle. Most manufacturers place them in such places so that they are easy to replace. You only need a socket and wrench etc. to replace it.
You can test your car battery at home using a multimeter, a hydrometer-style battery tester, or by performing a load test. For the multimeter, turn off the ignition and any accessories like lights or the radio in the vehicle. Then turn the headlights on for two minutes to get rid of any surface charge the battery may have. Take a reading between 12.3 and 12.5 volts and if you have the ability to charge it, try charging it up to full. To test each cell with a hydrometer-style tester, measure the specific gravity of the battery acid. Lastly, for a load test, take the rated CCA of your battery and divide it in half, then apply that load for 15 seconds. If your headlights dim noticeably as the engine turns over during this process, it means your battery doesn’t pass the test.
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