Your car battery is the powerhouse of your vehicle that practically starts up your engine and all the electrical components in your car. c, not even for a second.
As a car owner, you should always be onto the state of your battery to catch signs that it might need a change before it is too late. This article will tell you the signs to expect.
How often does a car need a new battery?
There is no way to avoid car battery replacement, no matter how careful you might be. However, when you would need to replace it is what matters.
A car battery lifespan is generally dependent on the battery condition as well as vehicle nature.
Most vehicles need a battery change every four years, depending on the nature of the car.
Vehicles driven during winter periods are also bound to last shorter than the average four years.
How long should a new car battery last?
Your car battery is expected to last as long as six years, as long as it is in ideal condition and not exposed to excess humid or hot temperature.
Once you get a new battery, its lifespan begins counting and depends on how long you can continue to recharge it.
Your car battery is dead once it refuses to charge.
Signs that your car battery is dying
Several signs tell you the end of your battery life is near. It is good to pay attention to the telltale signs that your car battery could be dying. Here are some of such tips.
- Check Engine Light is on
Most vehicles’ engine lights come up when the car battery is running low and needs a recharge. However, this might not be the case for all cars, so check your manual and get your battery checked once you notice it.
- Slow starting engine
When your battery begins to wear out, it will take longer to start the engine because it will make your weak battery more time to create a charge to start the engine.
- Dim Lights
The battery powers practically every electrical part of your car, and this includes your lights.
Your car battery will be unable to power bright lights once it starts to weaken.
Other electrical faults will also result when your battery is close to the end of its life. In this case, there is a chance to be stuck on the roadside and probably will need onsite car battery replacement.
- Misshaped Battery
Something is wrong with your battery if it looks different from the standard rectangular shape.
Wild weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold also damage the car battery and cause it to lose shape.
- Worn and torn connectors
Once you notice corrosion issues in the form of a white substance on the metal parts and terminals of the battery, you have a problem with your battery that can lead to voltage problems. You might also have difficulty starting your car.
- Battery age
An old battery will need to be changed, especially once it lives out its lifespan.
While car batteries can generally last between 3 and 5 years, driving habits, weather conditions, and electronic loads affect your battery’s lifespan.
It would be best if you performed regular checks on your battery once you have used it for nearly three years as it might be very close to dying.
