How To Know If You Need A New Battery Or If It's Another Issue Hurting Your Battery

How To Know If You Need A New Battery Or If It’s Another Issue Hurting Your Battery

Did you know that China is a leader when it comes to car battery production? This excessive manufacturing comes with the cost of overcapacity. Nevertheless, as car batteries naturally degrade year by year, it has become challenging to tell if you need to take further action or not.

If you have a dilemma, we can answer your long-burning questions. As a leading car part provider with over 140,000 parts sold, A Plus Auto explains if you need a new car battery or if there’s another issue affecting your battery. Let’s do this!

Signs That Your Car Battery Is Bad

How can you tell that your battery is dead and it’s not something that can be fixed with a simple repair? These are the four telltale signs that you need to buy a new battery.

Extreme Corrosion Is Evident

Carefully glance at the top of your car battery. A white, bluish, or greenish granular or powdery substance on the terminals is a clear sign of corrosion. While noticing some of it isn’t alarming, allowing it to build up will severely destroy its functionality. But why does corrosion occur? Well, it all starts with contact between the internal gasses and liquids with the outward metal, and a chemical reaction creates sulfate crystals. Though this can be resolved with some baking soda and warm water, always call the professionals for a deep and thorough inspection.

Flickering Dashboard Lights

If your dashboard car battery light appears while driving, it likely signals to a problem with the auto charging system. Inspect the issue in detail and don’t neglect even the slightest glitch. Maybe it’s because of a falling alternator, poor connections or a loose, faulty cable. Whatever the reason, always let the expert have the last word instead of attempting a DIY fix. That way you’ll keep up your safety and stop being a hazard to traffic participants.

Power Windows Run Down Excessively Slow

Attempting to roll your power windows up and down while the engine is turned on doesn’t cause any hazards, no? Still, repeating the same thing with the engine on is a whole different story. If they have become slow, that’s a common electrical problem many people face. It’s your battery’s task to power them appropriately, meaning there’s an obvious issue with it. Yet, don’t forget about other symptoms like physical resistance or a blockage. Regularly testing your power windows is highly recommended so that you can diagnose the failure on time.

Sluggish Engine Cranking

Does your car crank and it takes forever to start? Is this a familiar scenario? Then, a weakened or falling battery is to blame. But before claiming it as a fact, know that a couple more issues are in play. They include incorrect wiring, a bad starter, or an alternator failure. So, inspect each issue beforehand along with your car battery for precise detection. How do we tell if the battery causes this problem? Start your vehicle with headlights turned on. Do your lights appear to darken while idling or become brighter while accelerating? If you notice any of these two signs, that’s a falling car battery since it no longer holds a charge. Apart from that, you may need to use a voltmeter to test your charging system and alternator.

What Factors Contribute To A Shortened Battery Life

Wondering why the car battery randomly weakens or keeps dying? At A Plus Auto, we can expertly identify the causes for deterioration. Let’s point some of these factors out. Your Battery Simply Got Old Your car battery lifespan depends on various factors, including weather conditions, driving length, driving routines, car type, vibration and so on. Still, the average one endures around 4 years. Although you get lucky and your battery functions well even after this period, always perform a battery check. Make it your car maintenance habit, and regularly assess it after each oil change. Reminder: you can even ask for a free battery test at various auto stores for extra convenience. That way, you’ll prevent unwanted situations, such as ending up being stuck on the road due to a dead car battery.

Purchasing The Wrong Battery Replacement

The hunt for a proper battery replacement mustn’t be taken lightly. Although the main point is for the battery to be in the right size and suit your tray, that’s not the only consideration. To get one that will outperform the previous and remain functional for years to come, you should do a bit of research.

First, decide if you want a standard or a premium battery. Next, weigh up your time for care, as there are maintenance-required and maintenance-free models. Use relevant and reliable online sources to get proper recommendations. Then, check out if the one you’re getting is not older than 6 months.

Another factor is getting a car with a high CCA rating which performs well in cold weather. Also, never accept batteries without warranties. Finally, you must test the car battery with a multimeter beforehand and pay attention to the voltage. For optimal quality, you want it to be around 12.6 volts.
Too

Too Short Trips & Leaving It Dormant

Making 15-minute or shorter drives puts your car battery at risk. Why? Then, engines don’t work long enough for your battery to recharge properly. Repeating this destroys battery cells and makes it hard to keep a charge. Similarly, not driving your car for several weeks or months reduces the battery lifespan.

Parasitic Draw Symptoms & Lights Left On

If your car’s audio equipment is left plugged into your outlets, it carries on stealing the battery long after you exit. This is the so-called parasitic draw. To stop it, it’s best to prevent the potential sources by doing regular checkups. These include LED lights, chargers, headlights, dome or truck lights. Always use a digital multimeter and remember that drains above 100 milliamps are alarming.

Extreme Heat & Cold

Icy winter weather and sizzling hot summers impose a threat to your car’s battery. They end up diminishing its performance or making it completely nonfunctional. Any lack of power or the inability to turn the engine is enough to take further steps. To prevent this altogether, park your vehicle in a place protected from extreme weather.

Let Us Help You

In conclusion, understanding whether you need a new battery or if another issue is affecting your car’s battery life is crucial for maintaining optimal vehicle performance. At A Plus Auto, we’re committed to helping you navigate these tricky waters with our extensive expertise and a vast selection of over 140,000 car parts. Whether it’s extreme corrosion, power issues, or sluggish engine starts, we can provide the guidance and parts you need to resolve your battery problems effectively.