5 Signs Your Vehicle Has Battery Problems

Are you wondering if stuff is about to hit the fan with your vehicle? Do you feel like your car's battery is about to stall out on you? If so, then you'll want to replace it right away.

However, you don't want to spend money on replacing the battery if you don't have to. It might be another issue that's causing the problem instead.

For that reason, it's important to know what the signs are that your car's battery is about to die.

See below for several signs your car is having battery problems and what you should do if you catch them.

1. Your Lights Were On All Night

Everyone knows the feeling of walking out to their car for work in the morning and realizing that you left your car's lights on all night long.

If your car's battery isn't already dead, it's very close to giving out. First things first, try to start the car by turning the ignition. If the car starts, give it about 10 to 15 minutes to run, this will help the battery recharge a bit.

To prevent this in the future, make it part of your cadence before you hop out of the car each night. Check that you've put the car in park, the keys are in your hand, and that all lights inside and outside the car are turned off.

Whenever the next time is that you need to replace your car's battery, be sure to replace it with a maintenance-free automotive battery for optimal performance.

2. Engine Is Slow to Start

Have you noticed lately that your engine is taking longer and longer to start up when you turn the ignition? If so, it's not a coincidence, it is a sign that your battery is wearing out and isn't providing the spark that it needs. 

It might surprise you to find out that this is your battery's last attempt to warn you that it's about to die. The longer the engine takes to start, the closer your battery is to die.

Some car batteries give more of a warning than others. Some batteries will die right away and not give you any heads up. Others will try to start the car until their final breath.

If you notice that the car is taking longer than usual to start, make sure to take it to an auto shop right away.

3. It's Getting Up There in Age

Car batteries typically last anywhere between 1 to 3 years. However, to expect your car battery to last the full 3 years might be stretching it then.

It's never a set in stone date of death. There are certain things about the location you live that could lengthen or shorten your car battery's life.

Go out to your car, pop the hood, and look for a round sticker on the battery. The sticker will show the month and year when the battery was initially installed (MM/YY).

If it has been over 3 years or so and you've noticed other signs that the battery is losing its edge, then it's time to have it inspected. Don't let the service know you suspect the battery is dying, as they might agree with you just to have an easy sale.

4. Lights are Dim Inside or Outside the Car

Any type of lighting inside or outside your car is using electricity from the car's battery to do so. The more lighting features you install in your car, the more electricity it will drain.

If you've noticed that light features inside the car or your headlights are starting to dim, it is a sign that the battery is low.

The next time that you go to start your car at night, be sure to pay special attention to your headlights. Do they flicker when you turn the ignition? Are the lights weak and ineffective?

Not only is this a sign of a dead battery, but it's also a safety hazard. Driving at night with dim lights could lead to a serious car accident. Be sure to get your battery replaced right away.

Better yet, see if there's a different type of car battery that's powerful enough to tend to the different lighting features you have. The more lights your car has the more powerful a battery that it will need.

5. Corrosion on the Battery

Time to be honest with yourself: when's the last time that you had your battery inspected or have put any effort of maintenance into it yourself?

Over time, you might start to notice that your battery has some corrosion on the terminals of it. That corrosion is responsible for draining the life out of your car battery, even when the vehicle is running. 

In fact, the corrosion might stop the car battery from charging, leading to the battery dying even faster than expected.

If you aren't in a situation to replace the battery immediately, then pour some coca-cola on the corrosion and take a toothbrush to scrub it away. This will clean off the corrosion and, possibly, save your battery from dying too soon.

Use These Signs to Identify Any Potential Battery Problems

Now that you've seen several signs and symptoms that you're about to have battery problems, you must use them in the future.

Be sure to read this article for more information on the different factors you should consider before buying a car battery.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further!