If you’ve ever been in a hurry to leave for work in the morning, only to find your car won’t start, you already know how stressful such a situation can be. Even though a jump start will help you get going for the moment, this is by no means a long-term solution.
Instead of hoping your car battery won’t run flat at the worst possible time, it’s key to know the signs that it’s nearly time to replace your car battery.
Your Car Struggles To Start In Seasonal Changes
When warmer seasons roll around, the heat might cause the water inside your battery’s fluid to evaporate. This occurrence can lead to corrosion.
On the other hand, during winter, the chemical reaction in the battery might slow down, which can eventually drain the battery of power. As a result, your vehicle will struggle to start.
Both of these instances occur in older batteries that need replacing. Instead of waiting for the battery to completely give in and leave you stranded, it’s best to replace the battery as soon as possible.
Your Car Has Been Standing For A Long Time
Even if your car’s battery is new, if it has been standing for a lengthy period of time, there’s a good chance the battery has run flat.
It’s always best practice to drive your car periodically to prevent the battery from running flat. Even if you don’t need to go anywhere, a quick trip around the neighborhood is enough to keep the battery running for longer.
Your Car Struggles To Start
When any vehicle struggles to start, the battery is the first concern. So, if you’re constantly struggling to start your car, it’s worthwhile to replace the battery.
With this, if you aren’t sure if the battery is the culprit, you can book your car for a service and ask for the battery to be tested. There are other reasons a vehicle might battle to start, like a faulty starter motor, electrical problems, or alternator concerns.
Your Dashboard Lights Are Out-Of-Tune
Out-of-tune dashboard lights are one of the first signs that a battery is not working as it should. Moreover, your car should have a battery dashboard light that indicates when the battery needs replacing. This light is designed to alert you when battery health starts to decline.
However, if your car doesn’t have this light or if the light doesn’t work, you can also determine when to change the battery by its age. On average, a car battery should be replaced every three years. Although, this time estimate may vary depending on the brand, climate, vehicle type, car care, and even your driving patterns.
Replacing the battery in your vehicle is an essential aspect of car care that you’ll need to prioritize. In addition to changing the battery at regular intervals, you’ll need to book your car for a maintenance service every 3000 miles or according to the owner’s manuals recommendations. During the maintenance service, your battery will be tested and replaced, if necessary.
