Top Signs Your Car Battery is Dying

While some cars are programmed to give a signal when their car battery is going bad, not all vehicles have this feature, especially older ones. It’s good for all drivers to know the signs of a failing battery so they are able to replace it before they’re left stranded on the road. The battery experts at Industrial Batteries & Accessories Ltd present the top signs that your car battery is dying.

Headlights and Accessories Work, but Car Won’t Start

Obviously, if your car won’t start, there’s something wrong, but if your headlights are working, your radio is playing, or your phone is charging, this is an indication that the culprit is your battery. Starting your car requires a jolt of high-amperage power, but running the headlights and accessories requires a significantly lower amperage. This means that your battery isn’t entirely dead, but it’s not producing enough energy to start the car, only to power the accessories.

In this case, you need to get your battery tested and probably replaced. A jump start can get you going in an emergency, but as soon as you turn the car off again, you’ll have the same problem you had before the jump start. Get to an auto parts store, a mechanic, or a dealership right away to get your battery tested and a new one installed.

Slow, Sluggish Start

While most cars struggle to start in extremely cold temperatures, if it’s warm out, there is no reason for your car to have a slow or sluggish start. If it takes a few seconds for your car to turn over instead of firing right up and it’s not cold outside, your battery is probably on its last legs. It is telling you that it is having a difficult time generating enough power to start the car.

Also Check: Best Car Batteries For Cold Weather

Don’t ignore a change in how your car starts, particularly if the weather is fine. It will gradually get worse over time and you might not notice it taking longer and longer to start your car. Eventually, your car won’t start at all and you’ll be stranded. Instead, take your car into an auto shop or dealership to have the battery tested right away. Even if it’s a little low, you can replace it before it quits entirely.

Battery is Swollen

When a battery becomes swollen or misshapen, it’s a sure sign that it’s not in good condition. A battery should never be any other shape than a rectangular prism, so if the sides are bulging or the battery is no longer rectangular in shape, it needs to be replaced. Additionally, you’ll probably also need to have your alternator repaired because the main cause of a swollen battery is a buildup of hydrogen gasses due to a faulty voltage regulator that is causing the battery to overcharge. A replacement is the only solution for this, but don’t forget to have your alternator checked too or you’ll have to replace another battery soon.

Conclusion

Few things frustrate drivers more than getting stranded somewhere with a dead battery. By paying attention to these signs, you can make sure you get your battery tested and replaced before that happens.