Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing

Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing: Most drivers have been in a situation where they try to start the car, but nothing happens because the battery is dead. This can create massive inconveniences in your life or even leave you stranded if you are away from home. It can be all too easy to overlook the warning signs that the car battery might need to be replaced. Some of the most common signs that your battery might be nearing the end if its lifespan include:

6 Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing

1. Slow Engine Turning Over

If you have been driving for some time, you might be familiar with the sound of an engine that is struggling to or won’t turn over. If you turn the key and find that your engine takes a while to actually get going, this can be one of the main signs that you might need to replace the car battery. This is because the battery is one of the main components in the car to make your engine run. It provides energy to the starter and ignition systems in the car, turning a flywheel which starts your engine. This should happen very quickly, but if it’s taking some time, the battery is probably not working as well as it should, and should be replaced.

2. Flickering Dashboard Lights

While your battery powers the engine and gets it started, it is also responsible for providing power to the other electrical components of your car including the dashboard. The dashboard is a vital source of information for you as you are driving your vehicle, so if there is any kind of issue, it’s important to have it checked out as soon as you can. If you notice that the lights on your dashboard are flickering, it is more likely to be a sign of a dying battery rather than a problem with your dashboard itself. If you have noticed this sign, it’s a good idea to get a new battery and change it as soon as you can. If you wait too long, your battery might die out completely and you won’t be able to start your car.

3. Dim Headlights

If the battery in your car is losing its power, you will notice that all the electrical components of your car are going to be affected. When you are idling in your car, you may notice that the headlights are dimmer, and they go brighter again when you accelerate. This is a tell-tale sign that your car battery might need to be replaced. If you have noticed that your car headlights are doing this, you should try and replace the battery as soon as possible, as otherwise, it could completely die and leave you stranded.

4. Slow Rolling Windows

Everything might appear to be fine when you start and drive your car, but if your electric windows are taking ages to roll down when the engine is off, this can be one of the subtle first signs your battery needs replacing and you battery doesn’t have a lot of power left. However, with that being said, slow rolling windows can be caused by a number of issues including worn window regulators, broken track guides and problems with the window motor, so it’s worth getting the issue checked out to determine if it is the battery or something else.

5. Corrosion on the Battery

Another Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing: Open up the bonnet of your car and give your battery a visual inspection from time to time. Some build-up of dirt is to be expected, but your battery should be clean and free from any corrosion. If you notice that there is a lot of corrosion covering your battery, then this is a sure sign that it might need to be replaced soon. There are several problems that can lead to your battery being corroded including escaping gases, battery fluid leaks, and simply because the battery has become old and worn over time. Regardless of what has caused the corrosion, it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible.

6. Battery Age

Finally, car batteries can last for between three to five years. After this point, depending on how you drive and the weather conditions where you live, your battery is only likely to go downhill. While it may be possible to get more life out of your battery after the five-year mark, you should be ready for a replacement at any point after this time. Along with this, depending on your driving practices and the local weather conditions, your battery might start to die even sooner. Once your car battery is at least three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a professional. Most garages and automotive professionals offer affordable battery checks while some will even do it for free. Having this done will give you a better idea of how much life is left in your car battery and when you will probably need to start thinking about getting a replacement.

The battery is a vital component that your car needs to start and run smoothly. Over time, there are several things that can cause your battery to die. No driver wants to be in a position where they can’t start or move their car due to a dead battery. While you might be able to jump-start your battery, after a while, all car batteries are going to no longer work and will need to be completely replaced. The good news is that replacing your car battery is a fairly straightforward job that you can have done by a professional or even try doing yourself with the right tools.

Written By Matt Banks

Matt is the founder of Autohero.com.au and has been hooked on cars and repairs ever since childhood. A veteran in automotive since leaving school, Matt has completed his trade as a panel beater and is across all things with wheels. 

Hi first car was a 1967 for XR Wagon follow by a string of collectable Holdens.