Coming out of a winter where temperatures can frequently dip below freezing, you may be wondering whether or not your car’s battery is going to need replacing. While the average car battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 years, many factors contribute to its lifespan. At Tommy’s Automotive, we routinely check our customer’s car batteries and can recommend replacement based on a few things.
Signs You Need a New Car Battery
No one wants to get left out in the cold – and a car battery can leave you stranded at home, at work, or somewhere in between. To ensure your vehicle doesn’t leave you without a ride, there are some things to pay attention to:
Slow Engine Crank. If you notice that your engine is slow to crank or struggles to start, it could be a sign of a weak or failing battery.
Dashboard Warning Lights. Some vehicles are equipped with battery warning lights on the dashboard. If you see the battery light illuminated while driving, it could indicate a problem with the battery or charging system.
Dimming Lights. Dimming headlights, interior lights, or dashboard lights can be a sign of a weak battery, especially when you turn on electrical accessories like the radio or air conditioning.
Electrical Issues. Problems with electrical components such as power windows, door locks, or the radio can sometimes be attributed to a failing battery.
Corrosion. If you can, check the battery terminals for signs of corrosion or buildup (our techs at Tommy’s can also check for corrosion). Corrosion can interfere with the battery’s ability to charge and may indicate that it’s time for a replacement.
Old Age. If your battery is approaching 3 to 5 years old, it may be nearing the end of its lifespan, even if it’s still functioning. Consider proactively replacing it to avoid unexpected failures.
Unusual Odor. A sulfurous or rotten egg smell near the battery could indicate a leak or internal damage, necessitating immediate replacement.
Visible Damage. Physical damage such as cracks, bulging, or leaking fluids from the battery casing are clear signs that it needs to be replaced.
Another thing to consider is where you live. Places with excess humidity or extreme temperatures (cold or hot) can affect the longevity of your car battery.
Tommy’s Offers Battery Check-Ups & Replacement
Not everyone knows how or wants to check their battery to ensure it is in good shape. At Tommy’s Automotive, we will gladly check your car’s battery to see just how much life is left. If a replacement is needed, we can recommend the best one for the best price. Schedule your routine check-up and car service today.
By Tom Reisch|Also posted in Auto Tips, Tommy's News|Comments Off on Common Signs Your Car Battery Needs Replacement
It can be one of the most miserable experiences in a person’s life . . . dealing with a dead battery on the side of the road in frigid temperatures. As cold temperatures set in, it is crucial to inspect your battery before you end up in that situation. If you have a dead battery, your vehicle will not start. This can happen because of cold weather or a battery that is worn out. Because a battery is such a simple part of your car, it is easy to forget this vital inspection when cold weather sets in.
Increasing the Life of Your Battery
Once you purchase a new car battery, you should have between 7 to 10 years of life in it. This depends on how many times the battery is used and what kind of conditions you use it in. Starting a vehicle in temperatures below freezing will shorten your battery life considerably. There are some ways to lengthen your battery life, though.
Turn off accessories when not in use, this includes your radio, headlights, overhead lights, etc.
Keep your vehicle warm by parking in the garage.
Purchase heating pads that are made specifically for your battery to keep it from succumbing to the frigid temps.
Apply anti-corrosion to the battery terminals to prevent anything that may prohibit conductivity between the battery and the battery cables.
Test your battery at any local automotive shop if you have concerns that your vehicle is not turning over (starting) as smoothly as it should be.
Make sure your car has a properly functioning alternator and voltage regulator. This will help keep your battery charged to the optimal level and prevent an abnormally short service life.
Ways to Kill a Battery
Whether it is from nature or neglect, a battery’s life can be shortened in a few ways. A lot of batteries die due to weather. When the temps dip below freezing, your oil becomes thicker (think about water turning into honey at 32 degrees). This slows down the conductivity of your battery, making it hard or impossible for the vehicle to start. Here are some ways to kill your battery:
Listening to the radio without turning your vehicle on. Most people will turn their radio or overhead lights on when they are working in the garage or hanging out at a park because they don’t want to waste the gas (and with prices of fuel rising, who can blame them)- but doing this without starting the car will kill your battery, leaving you stranded. Here’s hoping your friends brought their own vehicles!
Don’t start it. No one wants to go out in cold weather, but leaving your vehicle sitting in the cold for days without starting it can actually kill your battery – for good. The longer you wait to start your vehicle the more likely it is that you will have battery issues.
Overheat your battery. If your car does not want to start and you continue to crank on the starter, it will eventually overheat your battery. Doing this means you will need to replace the battery entirely.
Getting ahead of the problem is the best way to prevent being stranded on the side of the road, or being left at home without a running vehicle. Remember, that if you maintain your vehicle properly, your battery should last 7-10 years. If you aren’t sure how old the battery is, take it to an auto shop to have them test it. Depending on how much you spend, your battery will usually come with a 48-84 month warranty. Be sure to ask about this the next time you purchase a battery.
Just in case you have a battery problem, it’s always good to remember how to jump a car.
Have questions about your battery? Give us a call (610) 696-2633.
Q: I own a 1990 Buick Century, 6cyl. I bought a new battery and 2 battery cables. When I attempted to connect the cables to the battery, the engine cranked-like it was trying to start- as if I turned the ignition key. What’s wrong? – RT
A: It sounds to me like you need to check your connections. If your cable from the battery to the starter is installed incorrectly then the starter could be powered whenever the battery is connected instead of just when the key is turned. I know that if one of the cables connecting to the starter is at all touching the other terminal on the starter it will cause this problem.
Coming out of a winter where temperatures can frequently dip below freezing, you may be wondering whether or not your car’s battery is going to need replacing. While the average car battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 years, many factors contribute to its lifespan. At Tommy’s Automotive, we routinely check our customer’s car batteries and can recommend replacement based on a few things.
It can be one of the most miserable experiences in a person’s life . . . dealing with a dead battery on the side of the road in frigid temperatures. As cold temperatures set in, it is crucial to inspect your battery before you end up in that situation. If you have a dead battery, your vehicle will not start. This can happen because of cold weather or a battery that is worn out. Because a battery is such a simple part of your car, it is easy to forget this vital inspection when cold weather sets in.