Common Signs You Need a Car Battery Replacement
Posted August 2, 2024
A car battery is one of the most important parts when starting your vehicle. A weak or dead battery won’t let the starter turn over the engine and fire it up. You should check the battery about once a month to ensure its cables are connected firmly and no corrosion or other issues are affecting it. Although it’s relatively easy to maintain a battery, according to Automotive Research, about 8 percent of auto owners procrastinate on doing routine maintenance on their vehicles. If you are unsure about your car battery, here are common signs that indicate it’s time to have an auto shop install a new one.
Engine Starting Difficulty
The most telling sign that a car battery is growing weaker is when the engine doesn’t readily turn over after putting the key in the ignition. A strong battery with a good connection to the starter will start the motor without delay. As the battery weakens, it loses the power needed for responsive starts. The problem will worsen in extremely hot or freezing weather, which causes a battery to discharge its stored energy faster than it would when the ambient temperature is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If your battery seems weak, you can test it at an auto shop to see if it has a full charge and replace the battery if it isn’t producing sufficient power.
Dimmer Lights Until Motor Starts
Another obvious sign of a problematic battery is that the interior lights are dim when you enter your vehicle. The stored energy inside the battery should fully illuminate the interior lights. If the lights start to grow dim or flicker, the electricity is too weak to fully power them. The dimming may not be apparent initially because the change happens over several weeks as the battery gradually weakens. When the battery is especially depleted, the lights will be very dim, and the ignition will make a clicking sound instead of the engine starting. In this case, take your vehicle to an auto shop to replace your battery.
Whether you’re driving a new car or an old classic, it needs a strong battery to function. If your battery shows signs of weakening, you can bring your car to AM-PM Automotive Repair LLC! We’ll test your battery and make the necessary changes as needed!