Your car battery is what gives your vehicle power to start when you turn the key, making it one of the most important elements of your car's interior makeup. If you drive an older car, you might start noticing signs that your car needs a battery replacement. We here at North End Mazda believe in educating our customers so they can take excellent care of their cars and themselves, so we've put together a guide to help you recognize these signs and address your battery replacement before it becomes a problem.
Taking a Long Time To Start
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If you try to start your car and the engine fails, one of the reasons behind it might be a battery that's ready for a replacement. The battery is crucial to the ignition system that starts your car. Without it, the engine can't run. Even if you succeed at starting the car on your second or third attempt, it might be worth taking your car to a mechanic to get the battery checked out.
If you try to start your car and hear a ticking sound instead of the engine roaring to life, that likely indicates that your battery is already dead, and you may require roadside assistance.
Warning Lights on the Dashboard
It's always a good idea to pay attention to the warning lights on your dashboard, especially the check engine light. If this light illuminates, a faulty battery might be the reason. Ignoring the light and continuing to operate your car might result in damage to your car's system or in you being stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery. Instead, if the engine warning light comes on in your vehicle, you can explain the issue to a mechanic and ask that they test the battery to ensure it's in good working condition.
Poor Response in Cold Weather
Car batteries are often the first victim of cold weather when it sweeps down your driveway. If you live in an area that experiences extremely cold temperatures or snow in the wintertime, it's essential to keep your battery health in mind. Freezing temperatures may affect the battery fluid or slow the chemical reactions that the battery contains. This is particularly true of older cars, as newer engines are often better equipped to function well in the cold.
If you drive an older vehicle and start to notice slow responses in cold weather, it may be that the weather is wearing your battery down, and it's time for a new one.
Dim Lights
If you notice the lights inside your car flickering or dimming, an old or faulty battery might be the cause. This is because the battery is what powers the lights in your car, along with several other electric elements. A dim or flickering vanity light, car door light, and dashboard light setup can all alert you to possible battery issues.
Your headlights, too, are battery-powered. If you start to notice that it's difficult to see ahead of your car at night, check to make sure the headlights aren't getting dimmer. If they are, it may be time to get your battery checked out to ensure your continued safety behind the wheel.
Faulty Electronics
Along with the car lights, your battery provides power to your vehicle's automatic windows, electric power steering, and stereo. If the battery is starting to go bad, you might notice these electronic elements beginning to waiver. This could manifest as a stereo with a lagging response or car windows that sometimes get stuck inexplicably partway up or down. Automatic door locks are also powered by your car's battery, so if you notice that they aren't very responsive, that could be another early sign that your battery needs a replacement.
Strange New Smell
If your battery sustains damage, it may start to leak sulfuric acid in the form of gas. This can cause a strange smell in your car's cabin, similar to the smell of rotten eggs. If you start to notice this in your car, be sure to get your battery checked immediately, as sulfuric acid can cause damage to other important parts of your car, ultimately endangering you and your passengers.
Sulfuric acid damage can also lead to costly repairs if the acid corrodes other parts of your car's engine. While this occurrence is somewhat rare, the ability to recognize it can help you ensure your car's longevity and your own safety.
Corrosion
If you suspect that it might be time to replace your battery, you can open up the hood of your car and take a look at it physically. If you notice corrosion at the points where the battery connects to the car, that's another good sign that it's time for a replacement. Evidence of a battery fluid leak, or a battery that is actively leaking, also warrants a trip to the mechanic and a likely replacement of the battery unit.
Battery Age
The final sign that your battery might need to be replaced is its age. An average battery tends to last three to five years, depending on a variety of factors, including how much you drive and how cold it gets in your area during the winter. A hybrid battery may last closer to 10 years, but it will likely be more expensive to replace. While reaching the five-year mark doesn't mean you need to schedule a replacement immediately, it does mean that it's a good idea to be on the lookout for the other signs on this list.
Proper vehicle maintenance is one of the best things you can do to ensure driver and passenger safety on the road. If you have questions about your car battery, don't hesitate to get in touch, and our team of automotive professionals will be happy to help you out. Are you in need of a service visit? You can schedule a service visit today at our dealership. While you're at it, check out the other services we provide so you can get the full tune-up on your visit. We look forward to getting you back on the road soon.
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