How important is a car battery for your vehicle?

A car battery is an essential component of your vehicle. It is included in the components that need proper care and maintenance regularly. To keep your car battery healthy, you need to attain the necessary information about this essential component.

If you do not keep your car battery in good condition, you have to be ready for instant Car Battery Replacement Holmes Chapel.  Generally, car drivers ignore proper maintenance of car batteries. This is indeed a bad approach because of the risk of several faults in the car battery.

In this handy guide, we will tell you about essential things about the maintenance of car batteries.

Let us begin!

Basic functions of car battery

Without a car battery, your car would not start and run on roads. Batteries come with cells that store the chemical energy to run your car effectively.

When you start your car, the battery changes the mechanical power into the electrical energy. Further, the electrical energy reaches the starter to start your car.

The standard unit for stored energy in the battery is voltage. You have to keep your car battery properly changed to ensure proper functions. Dead or dull batteries are unable to provide enough power to the vehicle.

What can you expect with a weak car battery?

A weak and dull battery will increase the level of stress on the charging system and the starter. As a result, you will observe faults in these components. If you ignore this condition for a long time, these components will develop serious issues and you have to visit a garage for instant replacement. You must keep an eye on your car battery and charging system to maintain these components efficiently.

What is the average lifespan of a car battery?

The total lifespan of a new car battery is usually 3 to 5 years. It means you have to pay special attention to your battery after 3 years. The cover of a car battery has information about the date of manufacturing. You have to use this information to keep an eye on the age and health condition of your battery.

How does a driver know if their car battery is dying?

Fortunately, a car battery does not die silently. The battery will show multiple warning signs before dying. Smart car drivers may detect these signs easily to repair or replace the battery.

Dying car batteries commonly show the following signs:

Dim lights:

This is the most common sign of a weak and dying car battery. Since the battery has no power to transfer to the electric components of the vehicle, you may observe dim lights.

The engine is lazy to start:

This is also a natural sign of a weak battery. When you turn the key, the car engine will take a longer time to start because of a failing battery.

Corrosion:

You can detect this sign if you check your car battery visually. Check the terminals. You may find signs of corrosion around these vital components of the car battery.

Battery warning light is on:

When a car battery has faults, you may find that the battery warning light is on by looking at the dashboard.

Bad smell:

A bad smell coming from the car battery is also a sign of a failing battery. Generally, leakage in the battery leads to a foul odor.

Old battery:

You should treat the old age of your car battery as a red signal as well. Batteries come with a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. After this period, they need a change.

Common reasons for a dying battery:

Car batteries are not with your vehicle forever. They will die after 3 to five years. However, proper maintenance may preserve them for a longer period. Car batteries lose their charge over time due to several reasons.

High temperature:

Both low and high ranges of temperature are risky for car batteries. Therefore, you have to preserve your battery during the summer and winter months.

Age:

Due to chemical reactions, car battery naturally loses its strength to store mechanical energy.

Leaving electrical components on:

Leaving lights and electrical parts on is also a prime reason for dying batteries.

Driving for short distances:

Driving a car occasionally or covering only a short distance with the car is a reason for a fully recharged battery. If this condition is stable for a long time, the battery will gradually lose its power to store the change.

Repairing or replacing the car battery

If your battery is showing faults but it is not completely dead, you may repair the battery with the help of a mechanic. On the other hand, a completely dead battery certainly needs a replacement. A mechanic can help you if you are not able to determine the present condition of your car battery.

The mechanic will check the battery with the help of appropriate tools and techniques. If your mechanic is in favor of changing the battery, do not try to drive your car with the same battery. You have to follow the instructions of the mechanic to drive safely on the roads.

Conclusion

You have to keep an eye on the warning signs that a car battery shows when it is near death. Visiting a garage to check the battery is a good idea since checking the battery is not your job. Let your mechanic examine your battery to make a good decision. Replace it without any hesitation if it is completely dead.