How To Know When Your Car Needs A New Battery

How To Know When Your Car Needs A New Battery

How To Know When Your Car Needs A New Battery

A flat battery isn’t only an inconvenience, it can cause severe problems if it occurs at an inopportune moment—which it inevitably does. You can prevent this from happening by knowing the signs that your vehicle’s power source is in decline. 

Read on to discover all the symptoms of a failing battery, plus some top tips for great battery maintenance to ensure the best lifespan for this vital element of your car’s makeup.

Car Battery Masterclass 

  • Important car battery info
  • Signs and symptoms of a failing car battery
  • Other vehicle battery problems

Important car battery info

The battery truly is the lifeblood of a vehicle. However, they don’t last forever. The average lifespan of a well-maintained battery used in optimal conditions can be anything from 4-6 years. This will be influenced by many factors, including: 

  • Extremes of temperature
  • Levels of humidity
  • Amount of usage
  • Battery quality

While a flat battery can often be recharged, if allowed to run flat then the likelihood of future problems are very high. Even if conditions are perfect, and you’re meticulous with battery maintenance, there’s no getting away from the fact that, at some point, it will need replacing.

Signs and symptoms of a failing car battery

There are many telltale signs that a battery is coming to the end of its useful life. These include: 

  1. The check engine light illuminates: While this isn’t necessarily indicating the battery, it can be one reason that this light comes on. If this happens, the sensible course of action is to have the car checked out by a professional source that can determine if the battery is at fault.
  2. Corrosion on the connectors: A white, ash-like substance on the battery terminals can cause voltage problems, leading to further battery issues.
  3. The engine is slow to start: If the engine turns over sluggishly, it’s a sure sign that the battery is on its way out. It happens because the internal components are wearing out and, if not replaced, will eventually fail altogether.
  4. A strange smell: If a battery begins to leak it gives off a smell like rotten eggs. This will be noticeable when you pop the hood and look into the engine. It warrants immediate replacement.
  5. Electrical issues: This could be dimming of the interior lights, dashboard computer, and more. Every additional element you plugin, such as a phone charger, causes more battery drain and shortens the lifespan of a battery.
  6. Battery case becomes misshapen: Extreme cold and heat can cause the casing around a battery to swell and shrink, This damages the integrity, and it will eventually crack. It’s a huge clue that the battery within will also be affected and not working at full capacity.
  7. The battery is old: Is the battery more than 3 years old? If so, you should have a high degree of suspicion that it’s no longer in the prime of life. If all is working well on the vehicle, then you might just need a battery health check. If you’ve noticed any of the other issues mentioned, then it’s probably time for a replacement.

Other vehicle battery problems

Another common element that reduces battery longevity is lack of use. Leaving your car stationary in a garage or on a driveway for long periods is a sure-fire way to decrease its longevity. Other culprits include excessive short trips and—the quickest route to a flat battery—leaving the lights on after turning off the ignition. 

Need a New Battery or Battery Health Check? You Need Autobahn of Boca

All cars, particularly prestige cars, should have regular battery health checks. A battery doesn’t only power the engine to start, but it’s also responsible for energizing all the electrical elements of the vehicle. These include climate control, GPS, interior lighting, heated seats, in-car entertainment, and more. In the latest luxury cars, many of the telltale signs of a depleting battery don’t occur. The first you know about it is when the car doesn’t start.

That’s why Autobahn of Boca automatically gives your battery a health check when servicing a vehicle. However, we can also carry this out as a standalone feature and, of course, supply the right new battery for your car if needed.

Don’t risk a battery failure. Book your vehicle’s battery check at https://www.autobahnofboca.com now—South Florida’s premier location for the maintenance of luxury European cars, such as BMW, Porsche, VW, Audi, and more.