7 Signs That Show Its Time to Replace Your Battery
You just woke up. You are running late for work. And, when you go to start your car, it fails you when you need it the most. Sounds terrible, right?
Now imagine you are caught in that situation during winter, and it’s raining outside. You try turning the ignition key and nothing. You wish to play your favorite track on your radio to ease your frustrations, but the radio is also unresponsive because the battery is dead. This might be the worst moments, and unfortunately, it happens.
The good thing with car batteries is that they don’t just go dead- they give clear signs before they fail. Being on the lookout for these tell-tale signs will ensure that you are not the guy searching “my battery is not working, how do I jumpstart my car“ 20 minutes before getting to work.
Knowing whether your battery is failing draws back to these seven signs:
A Slow Starting Engine
With time, the internal components of your car’s battery start to wear out, and they become lesser active. When the battery becomes inefficient, it will take more time to ignite your vehicle more than it would normally. A slow start is often the last sign before your battery turns it back on you.
Dim Lighting
The battery stores the electrical current that is needed to power most of the electronics in your vehicle before it starts moving. If the battery is failing, it will have an extremely difficult to maintain the same amount of headlights brightness. The dimming lights should not only be a safety concern but an indication that your battery is almost kaput! Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Clicking Sounds When You Turn On the Engine
When you turn on the ignition key, the battery sends an electric current to the solenoid, which is responsible for cranking the car. The solenoid hence requires a considerable amount of current to crank the starter, and if the battery is weak, the current sent to the starter motor will be weak. The clicking noise is often from the starter motor when it receives insufficient power from the battery.
The Check Engine Light is On
While many different problems from your engine might trigger the check engine light, the light is often turned on to indicate a low battery. You should have the battery checked the soonest, and if it is the underlying problem, consider having it replaced.
You Need to Press the Gas Pedal to Start
The car should start even without pressing the gas pedal. The vehicle may run idly for a few minutes after you get it started- but you should never help it start. If you find that your car only starts after you press the gas pedal, then it’s time you replace the battery.
Your Car Backfires a Lot
If your car is backfiring, then it means your battery’s tenure is almost over. When the vehicle is running out of battery, the spark that ignites the air-fuel in the cylinders occurs intermittently, causing the car to backfire. The sudden and unexpected spark is often a result of a failing battery.
However, before replacing the battery, it is worth checking whether the carburetor and the black box are in good condition since both of them can result in backfiring.
Corroded Connectors
Do you notice a certain white and ashy substance that often appears on the metal connectors of your battery? The corroded terminals can be a sign that your battery has been in operation for too long. Ensure you replace the battery to avoid significant voltage issues.
An Old Battery
If you have been using your battery continuously for too long, then you should start factoring in how to replace it. Sometimes, you might not be lucky to notice these signs, and an old battery ends up ruining your day. The general rule of thumb is to typically replace the battery after 3-5 years, depending on how often you use your vehicle.
How to Replace Your Car Battery?
So what’s next after you notice any of these signs?
If any of the above is true, then it’s high time you get another battery. Here are some tips on how to replace a battery:
- Get a new battery from a trusted dealer or your local mechanic.
- Undo the clamp nut and remove the negative terminal first.
- Carefully repeat the same step and remove the positive terminal.
- Undo the battery hold-down clamp and lift the battery.
- Examine and clean the battery tray to get rid of any dirt.
- Install the new battery safely. Clamp the hold-down nuts and then proceed to secure the positive and the negative terminals.
However, you should note that cars are different and each has its own manual. When it’s time to change the battery, confirm with your car’s manual or contact a local mechanic to give you a hand.
At Tropical Chevrolet Collision Centre, we are your car’s best friend providing you with expert and unparalleled auto repair services. For more information about when and how to replace your car battery, feel to talk to us, and we will be more than willing to assist.