There is nothing worse than needing to be somewhere and your car won’t start! That awful sinking feeling when nothing happens when you turn the key in the ignition. There are ways to tell if your car battery is nearing the end of its life, so act now and avoid that inconvenient, terrible realization that your battery’s dead and you’re not going anywhere!
- Slow to start up
All the power required to start your car’s engine comes completely from the battery. Bearing this in mind, if you begin to notice on turning the key in the ignition that the engine is sluggish and slow to start up, then your battery could be about to die. This is an important warning sign and your battery might not be so generous as to give you a second shot when you next need to start your engine. You’ll need to get it tested and most likely replaced by a Car Battery Supplier.
- Warning Light
Most cars have various dashboard warning lights and if you happen to notice one in the shape of a battery is illuminated, it’s a sign you shouldn’t ignore. It means your battery isn’t being recharged enough or there’s an internal issue. This light sometimes illuminates when there’s a problem with the alternator or other electrical components. Either way, you’ll want to get your car checked over by a professional.
- Electrical System
Not just responsible for starting the engine, your battery also has to power all the electrical components too. That’s a lot of work! Cars today include many electrical parts including power windows, seats, windscreen wipers, headlights and the radio to name just a few. If you begin to notice problems with any of these components, it could very well link back to your battery’s waning performance.
- Horrible Smell
If a battery has suffered from freezing over, been overcharged or has shorted out inside, it can give off an unpleasant odor similar to rotten eggs. Lifting your bonnet and discovering this whiff means you’ll want to act fast. The battery will need replacing but you’ll want to do this quickly as any acid leaking from the damaged battery can eat away at other parts of your engine, causing costly corrosion.
- Age
Most batteries can be expected to last around 4-5 years, although this does depend on use, climate and charge cycles. If you know you’ve had your battery for more than 4 years, it’s a good idea to get it tested by a professional. If you can’t remember the age or bought the car second hand and don’t know – the manufacture date can be found in the case.
- Battery Case
If your battery has experienced excessive heat or cold, the sides of the battery case can react by bulging outwards. Ina little-used vehicle, batteries can discharge and then freeze. This freezing and then sudden heating which causes bulging can result in your battery becoming completely unresponsive and needing replacement.