It hasn’t been your morning. Your alarm didn’t go off so you slept in and now you’re having to give your car a jump because you can’t get it to start. Your car has been doing this more and more often lately.
Chances are that you have a bad battery or your alternator is wearing out. Needing jumps isn’t the only warning your car will give you when it comes to the battery. It will make sounds or take a long time to start.
Keep reading for a complete list of signs you need a new car battery so you can avoid being late to the places you need to go.
- Your Current Battery Is Old
Everything wears out over time. This includes your car battery. If it’s more than a few years old and your car starts having problems, you should have the battery tested.
If you’re not sure how old the battery is for whatever reason, there is usually a sticker plastered on the side that will have the date it was replaced.
- Your Car Takes a While to Start
As your battery starts to wear out it takes longer and longer for it to send a charge to your starter. This will cause your car to take longer to start then it normally would.
This is the most obvious warning sign that your car will give you. If it starts to happen then you should get it checked out before your battery stops working altogether.
- Makes Sounds But Won’t Start
Going off our point from above, sometimes when your car refuses to start it will make noises. You may need to jump-start it and take it to a store to get looked at.
If it’s giving off a clicking noise then this could also be your starter. If it is the starter then it will work after you turn the key a few times. If it’s your battery it won’t budge without a jump.
- Your Dash Lights Work But the Car Won’t Start
Your battery can be strong enough to put power in the car but not strong enough to actually start it. If this is the case then the dash lights in your car will turn on but you’ll need to give the car a jump to start it.
This is another scenario where your battery could be fine but your starter is lacking. Get it somewhere to test both as soon as you can.
- You Have to Give It a Jump More Often
As your battery ages, it will struggle more to keep a charge. This means that you’ll find yourself having to give it a jump way more often then you would like. If your battery is new and this happens though, then you may have a few different situations on your hands.
It could be that the battery is simply wearing out before it’s time. Check the warranty and if it’s still in effect you can get another one. There could also be a part of your car that’s drawing power even when you’re not using it.
If your radio or a bulb in your car is on even after you’ve shut it off then don’t be surprised if your car is dead when you go to use it again.
- Lots of Corrosion and Film
Have you taken a look at your battery lately? If you’re starting to experience any of the issues that we’ve mentioned then it may be time for you to pop your hood to give it a once over.
If you see any blue corrosion or a film over the top of your battery then you’ve got an acid leak somewhere or your battery is giving off harsh enough fumes to damage it.
Both these problems will cause connection issues which will drag down your car. Cleaning the battery may solve the issue for a bit but it won’t be permanent. The corrosion will come back so it’s better to handle the source of the problem by replacing the battery.
- Bad Smell
When you lift the hood you may be able to tell there is a problem going on before you even look at the battery. When your battery is damaged there is a big possibility that it will leak gas.
This gas gives off a distinct smell of rotten eggs. It’s a strong smell so you’ll probably notice it before you even lift up your hood to check things out.
- Your Check Engine Light Is On
Your check engine light can come on for a variety of reasons. It doesn’t always mean that there is a problem with your battery. In fact, when the battery light does come on it usually goes off after you crank up the car.
If it doesn’t go off or comes back on when you’re driving then you may want to get it checked out though. It could be your battery or your alternator.
A good way to tell if it’s your alternator is to keep driving for a little while. If things like your lights or heated seats start to slowly shut down then that means you may only running on battery power alone.
Signs You Need a New Car Battery ASAP!
Is your car struggling to start lately? It could be a lot of things but more often than not, it’s a problem with your battery. Keep these signs you need a new car battery in mind so you can fix the issue before it causes you to be late for work.
Did this article help you spot a problem with your car battery? Keep browsing our blog for daily updates to see even more helpful car tips.
