Your car battery is essential for getting your vehicle started. There’s nothing quite as bad as discovering your battery has died at the most inconvenient time. Without an adequately charged battery, your car won’t be able to operate. In this article, we’ll go over the signs of a failing automotive battery that you should know!
A car battery’s primary function is necessary to start the engine and to power the vehicle’s electrical system. It also regulates voltage spikes and protects the car’s computer from electrical surges. The car battery is vital to your car. It’s important to ensure your battery and charging system are working properly, otherwise. You may find yourself battling a dead battery or faulty alternator when you really need to be on the road already.
When you turn your engine over, does it struggle to get going? If you hear your engine cranking slowly, you could have a dying battery on your hands. When a car has a slow crank, it’s the starter motor trying to turn the engine, but it’s not turning fast enough to start the engine.
Headlights are crucial for safe driving, enhancing visibility for drivers, and making vehicles visible to others. So, if your headlights seem dimmer than usual, your battery may be struggling to properly hold a charge, providing enough power for your lights to shine as bright as they should.
This issue could indicate a low-battery problem or even a dead battery, possibly resulting from a bad alternator. Either way, you’ll need to jump-start your vehicle and visit an automotive professional to see if it’s time for a battery replacement.
Are your windows rolling down slowly at the drive-thru? If your power windows, radio, windshield wipers, or other electrical components aren’t working properly, they might not be getting enough power from your battery.
Most modern vehicles have a battery indicator light on the dashboard that illuminates if the battery isn’t charging properly or is experiencing an issue.
If you’ve been driving during a heat wave or cold snap and are having battery troubles, pop your hood and check your battery. When exposed to extreme temperatures, your battery can swell, causing the battery case to expand. If this occurs, don’t try to drive your car or remove the battery. Take your vehicle to an automotive professional for a battery replacement.
Driving in extreme hot and cold climates can weaken the battery performance and shorten battery life overall. High temperatures especially, are typically more harmful on car batteries as they accelerate chemical reactions that can cause the battery fluid to evaporate and leave the battery at reduced capacity.
On average, the typical lifespan of a car battery lasts between three to five years. However, that does not guarantee a full battery life cycle. There is a wide range of factors either lengthening or shortening battery longevity, including car age, condition, and degree of daily usage. We recommend staying on top of regular checkups to guarantee everything is working as it should.
To extend your car battery’s life to its full potential, consider these maintenance tips:
Starting your car battery always begins with the battery, and keeping it running relies on your alternator. If either of these components is faulty or worn out, your vehicle will not be able to operate. It’s important to ensure your battery and charging system are working properly, otherwise. You may find yourself battling a dead battery or faulty alternator when you really need to be on the road already.
Luckily, the ASE-certified technicians at Scott’s U-Save have the experience and equipment to properly inspect, diagnose, repair, and replace any components within your charging system. Don’t let a simple dead battery put your life on pause! Call or schedule an appointment online with us today at any of our four locations, and we’ll ensure your vehicle is ready to start anytime and every time
Whether you're shopping for tires, looking to lift your truck, or need auto repair, Scott's U-Save is here to serve you! Schedule an appointment online or call today!
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