How to Keep Your Car from Overheating
Even if you love the heat of summer, but you need to help your car keep its cool when temperatures rise. An engine that runs too hot can damage the...
Read more about How to Keep Your Car from OverheatingQuite often, car batteries are taken for granted until they stop working. A dead battery can be an inconvenience at best and, at worst, may leave you stranded somewhere. That’s why it’s important to know when you should replace your car battery.
It’s important to look for warning signs long before the moment your battery is no longer strong enough to start the engine. In some cases, a dead battery can be caused by avoidable human errors, such as leaving the lights on and draining the battery overnight. In cases like this, you can get a jump-start to help start your car and recharge the battery. However, other problems can indicate that your battery is reaching the end of its useful life and that it might be time to replace it. Here are some warning signs that suggest it’s time for a new car battery.
One of the main indicators that you might want to replace your battery is age. On average, your car battery should last 3 to 5 years. [1] If it’s getting older, keep a close eye on how well it performs over time.
A battery can die as the result of poor battery performance, user error, or an electrical system malfunction. Below are some of the most common problems that will cause a battery to die. [2]
Battery life will vary based on numerous factors; much of that variance has to do with how often you drive your vehicle. Driving your car charges the battery. If you take your car out daily, the battery is probably going to last longer than the battery in a car that sits unused for long periods of time.
If you smell a sulfuric or “rotten-egg” odor emanating from your battery, there is a good chance that your battery has a problem, and you should seek out potential causes and remedies. [3]
If your car engine begins turning over more slowly when you start it, that’s a good indicator that your battery is beginning to fail. The lights on your dashboard might go dim or flicker when the car is starting, which is another indicator that your battery may be getting weak. [4]
If you notice these symptoms in your vehicle, it’s probably time for a new battery. You can always be sure by taking your car to an experienced mechanic, auto-supply store, or if you’re experienced working on cars, you can test it yourself. Testing the battery using a multimeter can help determine if the battery needs recharged or replaced. [5]
Maintaining a strong battery is one important component of car maintenance. Learn more about performing a check-up on your vehicle to ensure its systems are working efficiently.
[1] https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-long-do-car-batteries-last, Accessed June 2022.
[2] https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/things-that-drain-car-battery/, Accessed June 2022.
[3] https://www.autozone.com/diy/battery/how-long-should-a-car-battery-last, Accessed March 2022.
[4] https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/when-to-replace-your-cars-battery, Accessed March 2022.
[5] https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-maintenance/how-to-test-a-car-battery, Accessed June 2022.