Is the battery in your car more than five years old?
Chances are, you’re going to need to invest in a new car battery sometime soon. Most car batteries only last between three and five years before they need to be replaced.
If your battery is getting up there in age, there are some signs that’ll let you know it’s on the verge of conking out on you. You should pay close attention to these signs since there’s almost nothing worse than having your car battery die on you when you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Let’s take a closer look at the top signs that you need to buy a new car battery right away.
It Takes a Few Extra Seconds for Your Engine to Start
When you jump into the front seat of your car and put the key into your ignition, your car should start right up when you turn it. If it doesn’t, it could mean that you need to get a new car battery.
Often times, car batteries that are starting to die will take several extra seconds to provide your car with the juice it needs to start up. In some cases, you can alleviate this by recharging your battery, but in others, you’ll need to replace the battery completely.
As long as your car continues to start, albeit very slowly, you might be tempted to hang tight and keep on using it. But you’re going to be tempting fate if you take this approach to car maintenance.
Rather than ignoring your car’s slow starts, have it looked at to see if a new battery will fix the problem. It’ll ensure that your car battery doesn’t give out on you at the worst possible time.
The Lights in Your Car Are Dimmer Than Usual
The battery in your car is in charge of powering every single electronic inside of it. That includes your car radio, your dashboard, and, of course, your lights.
If your lights don’t seem as bright as they should be, that could be a sign that you need a new car battery. It might illustrate the fact that your battery isn’t providing enough power to your car.
It might also show that you’ve drained your battery by plugging too many things in inside your car. These days, most people charge their cell phones and use other electronics like GPS devices when they’re driving around.
These things can take a toll on your car battery. It’s a good idea to avoid plugging them in unless you absolutely have to.
There Is an Awful Smell Coming From Under Your Hood
When you pop the hood on your car, do you smell a funky odor coming from it? Does it smell almost like rotten eggs sitting at the bottom of a garbage can?
This is most likely an issue with your car battery. If your battery is damaged, it’ll leak gas and cause a putrid smell to set in.
This is another sign that you should not ignore when you’re using your car. If you allow your battery to leak for too long, it can cause all kinds of problems for you and your car.
Your Battery’s Connectors Are Corroded
Over time, the connectors for your battery can corrode and cause you to experience voltage issues. You’ll be able to see the corrosion for yourself in the form of a white, powdery substance on the positive and negative connectors on your battery.
The good news is that you can clean these connectors and bring your battery back to life. But the bad news is that corroded connectors are usually a sign that your battery is on the older side and will need to be replaced soon.
The Case for Your Battery Is Cracked
Do you live in a place that experiences both extremely high and extremely low temperatures at different times of the year?
This can put a strain on your car battery. It can also lead to your car battery being damaged if you leave it in your vehicle for too long.
Every time it gets very hot or very cold, your battery case will either swell or shrink depending on the weather. When it does this, it’ll be at an increased risk for cracking.
Inspect your battery case from time to time to see if there are any cracks in it or if it’s misshapen at all. If it isn’t the same shape as it was when you had it installed, it’s going to be just about time to have it replaced.
Your Car’s Check Engine Light Is On
If the check engine light is on in your car, there could be any number of reasons for it. A check engine light could be an indication that:
- Your gas cap is loose
- Your oxygen sensor is in need of replacement
- Your catalytic converter has gone bad
- Your car needs new spark plugs
But the check engine light might also come on when there is a problem with your battery. When the battery voltage drops below a certain point in some cars, the check engine light will spring into action to let you know about it.
You’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to have them run a diagnostic test to see why your check engine light is on. You’ll also need to learn more about Relion Batteries in case your check engine light lets you know it’s time for a new car battery.
Buy a New Car Battery Today
If your car battery is no good, it doesn’t matter how amazing the rest of your car is. It’s not going to start up smoothly and prove to be reliable.
When you notice any of the signs mentioned here, think about putting a new car battery into your vehicle. Even if it means getting rid of your old battery a little bit ahead of schedule, it’ll be well worth it to get the peace of mind your new battery will give you.
Keep browsing our blog to find out about the other issues you should look out for when it comes to your car.