You can’t expect a more frustrating feeling than trying to turn on your vehicle’s ignition but nothing happens. You try to put the key in your ignition again, and then the third time but still nothing happens. At that time you will get only one thought: Your battery is dead. Undoubtedly, this is the most distressing feeling in the world. However, you can avoid the situation by only keeping yourself attentive to the following failing battery signs.
6 Signs of a Failing Car Battery
Your car’s battery is just like its heart. Without a battery, you cannot expect your vehicle to have sufficient power to start, run, or do anything else. Therefore, it is necessary for you to understand the working principle of your battery and the most common symptoms that it needs replacement.
1. Slow Engine Crank
Your engine needs a large amount of power to start and all this power comes only from the battery. As soon as your engine is started, the alternator will replace the battery by providing the necessary power to move your vehicle and other important electronics accessories.
When you try to start your engine in the morning for the first time, it is only the battery that provides all the necessary power. In case your battery is about to die, you will observe your car’s engine cranking quite slowly than routine.
You must take that warning sign seriously, and test your battery as earliest as possible. A general observation is that a weak battery often gives you only one chance for a slow start and if you miss, it will not give you a chance again. If you find that your engine does not crank at all, you may observe very rapid clicking sounds from your engine. It is a warning that your battery has very low available power to crank your engine.
In any of the above cases, visit the nearest auto repair agency for your battery test and replacement, if needed.
2. Problems with Vehicle Electronic Components
Therefore, if you find that your electronic machinery is not getting enough power, you might have got a weed battery. You must take this situation seriously and visit the workshop as soon as possible for a thorough battery check-up.
3. Battery Warning Light in your Dashboard
Just like an engine light, the battery light can also give you an idea about some problems with your electrical system or alternator. If You observe this light blinking, the best idea is to have your electrical system examined thoroughly.
You should select some certified professionals to perform this job and indicate the exact problem. Pep Boys’ battery inspection service can be your choice for complete battery service.
4. Inflated Battery Case
For example, if you have not driven your car for some time in the winter season, the battery may freeze or discharge. Swelling and freezing from the surplus heart usually lead to an electrically dead battery. Such a battery cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced.
Sometimes swollen or infected battery is even dangerous for neighboring components, particularly if your vehicle has a hybrid or any other electronically controlled engine. The leaked acid can also remove paint from the interior of your hood, in case you are using a lead-acid battery. That will not be the case for dry batteries.
5. Aged Battery
Most mechanics say that five years is the maximum life a battery can have, so once you reach the 4-year mark, it’s not a wise idea to get your battery inspected by any professional. This is obvious that now your battery cannot have enough strength to drive your vehicle and other electronic components. So it’s a better approach is to get your battery replaced.
It is quite easy to check the manufacturing year of the battery, mostly you can find it printed on the battery case. Otherwise, you can also find it on the battery warranty card or the battery invoice.
6. Weird Smell
You should make up your mind because you may have to replace your battery because gas discharge usually damages the battery internally and make it unrepairable. But you might be lucky enough to survive your battery if you get it inspected on time.
There is also a possibility of severe damage to other important engine components due to sulphuric acid discharge. This can damage your vehicle’s paint and can also cause corrosion. Never allow the gas to discharge for a long period of time.