Even the most novice car owners know that there lies a battery lurking under the hood of all cars, which is used to support ignition and help run the various electrical systems that have become commonplace in modern vehicles. However, what you may not be aware of is when it begins to fail. By understanding the warning signs, you can avoid a costly tow to a local garage and a hefty bill for simply changing it out. This post will explore some of these signs so that you can diagnose by yourself and save a few bucks in the process.
Frequent Need For Jump-Starts
Let’s start with the basics here…if you regularly have to start your car in a way that isn’t usual, your battery probably has an issue. If you are always jump starting your car, it could indicate that it has reached the end of its life and needs replacing ASAP. Batteries have a limited lifespan, usually around 3 to 5 years. As they age, their ability to hold a charge diminishes. If your car is requiring a jump start on a weekly or monthly basis, it’s a telltale sign that your battery just can’t store enough power anymore to turn over the starter motor. While occasional jump starts due to leaving your lights on aren’t too worrying, a battery that needs a boost repeatedly likely isn’t going to get any better. Getting a new battery before it completely dies can save you an enormous amount of hassle down the road, especially since you will eventually find yourself unable to start the ignition, and you are far away from any help.
Slow Engine Cranking And Starting
If the last part was about needing a boost to start the engine, this one is about running but inefficiently. When a battery is weak, it doesn’t have the necessary power to turn over the starter motor quickly. As a result, the engine will crank slower than usual when attempting to start. This is the power unit struggling to provide enough power for a smooth ignition. Over time, as the battery degrades further, the cranking will get progressively slower until the engine may no longer start at all.
Dimming Headlights And Interior Lights
Dimming lights can also point to an underperforming car battery since it delivers less voltage as a battery wears out. Lights are some of the first accessories affected by low voltage. When driving at night, headlights may seem less bright than before or may fluctuate noticeably in intensity. Similarly, dashboard lights and interior illumination may appear dimmer. Since lights draw a lot of power, especially in older vehicles, their weakening is a telltale sign that the battery cannot provide stable electricity. Once lights begin dimming, it’s just a matter of time before the failing battery causes other issues.
Corrosion On Battery Terminals
Another red flag of an aging car battery is the appearance of corrosion on the terminals. Over time, acid from the battery can leak out and settle around the positive and negative poles, causing a buildup of white or green corrosion that prevents a clean flow of electricity. If left unchecked, terminal corrosion will worsen and can actually eat away at the metal connectors. Batteries that show signs of this corrosion face internal degradation as well. Cleaning the terminals can help temporarily, but if corrosion is visible, the battery will likely continue failing as it ages. Seeing this wear-and-tear sign means it’s time for a replacement before terminal damage disables the battery entirely.
As you can see, plenty of warning signs indicate that your battery might be on the way out. As long as you heed these warnings and replace the power unit as soon as possible, you will find your car running as efficiently as it ever has.
