Know When It's Time to Replace Your Car Battery
- by Joe Weber - updated on 1/23/2024
Car and truck batteries don't last forever. With proper maintenance and care you can extend their life by months or even years but it's important to know what to look out for as your battery ages. If you pay attention, your battery will tell you when it may be time to replace it.
Signs Your Battery Is Dying
Car batteries may not be able to hold up a sign that says "Replace me" when they reach their end of life but they will give you several signs that you should start looking for a new battery.
Slow starts
It's normal for engines to start slower in cold weather, especially when it gets close to or below freezing. If you are noticing a sudden, slow start even when it's not cold outside, you could have a dying battery on your hands.
Lights and power but no crank
Your lights work, your radio and locks work but when you turn the key you get a "click" or at best a slow crank and then a click but no ignition.
The check engine light flashes or the battery light is illuminated
Your vehicle's check engine light could mean any number of things from the minor to the critical. However, it could also alert you of a battery issue. In any case, the vehicle should be brought to a mechanic as soon as possible to investigate.
Corrosion on the terminals and connectors
While this isn't necessarily a sign that your battery is bad, corrosion is the leading cause of early battery failure. If you see an excessive amount of corrosion it is a sign that things may be taking a turn for the worse.
Battery is swollen
If your battery has swollen to a larger than normal size it means that it's being significantly overcharged. This has caused a buildup of hydrogen gas faster than the gas can dissipate. This is likely caused by a faulty voltage regulator on the alternator. You should get to your mechanic as soon as possible.
Your battery is old
This may sound obvious but the age of your battery will also affect its performance and reliability. Car and truck batteries on average last 3 - 5 years with normal wear and tear.
Uncommon Issues That Could Expose A Weak or Dying Battery
The engine starts and then immediately dies
This is a very odd and uncommon issue that is prone to happen more with certain makes and models. When this happens, there could be a multitude of things wrong but a quick battery test should be your first step.
Odd smells are coming from your battery
By design, batteries don't smell. When all is well and everything is functioning properly, you should not smell any odors coming from the battery. If you smell an odd odor, similar to rotten eggs, it's a sign that the battery has vented gas and sulfuric acid that could potentially harm other parts of the car.
How Do I Extend the Life of My Car Battery?
- Clean the Terminals
A regular clean and scrub with a terminal protection kit can add extra life to your battery and prevent an early failure. Learn how to complete this extremely important and easy task in "How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion: Step-by-Step". - Don't Let the Car Sit For A Long Time
An easy way to ensure an early battery failure is to let it sit unused and not maintained. If you do let your car sit unused for a lengthy period, connect your battery to a battery maintainer to keep the battery optimally charged while being stored. - Make Sure Everything Is Tight
There are two aspects to this advice. First, ensure that the battery is securely fastened, and second, inspect the connections on the terminals.If the battery is not secured in place, it may harm other vehicle components due to movement. Additionally, loose terminal clamps can impede the electricity flow from the battery, putting extra strain on the battery.
- Avoid Short Trips
Taking excessively short trips might not allow the alternator sufficient time to effectively recharge the battery. This can become particularly problematic during frigid winter mornings when attempting to start your car in cold conditions. - Turn Off Lights and Accessories
We've all been there, it's almost unavoidable. Forgetting to turn off the lights or leaving accessories plugged in can lead to undesirable outcomes, such as a dead battery the next morning. It's smart to perform a brief double-check before exiting the car to ensure the lights are off, and all devices are unplugged from the 12V outlet and USB ports.
Read more about these tips and more in our recent article "How Long Do Car Batteries Last?".
Test Your Battery Often
Testing your battery at home or by stopping by one of our Batteries Plus stores is important no matter how old your battery is. As you use your battery and it ages, this becomes a necessity to stay on top of issues before they become a problem.
Car and Truck Batteries at Batteries Plus
Are you starting to notice some of the above signs that your battery might be on its last leg? Maybe it's slow to start or you're noticing some dimming headlights as you drive at night. Drive on over to your nearest Batteries Plus right away to have our battery experts inspect your battery and see what the problem is.
If a new battery is needed soon, we have a large selection of car and truck batteries from the best brands like X2Power, Duracell Ultra and Optima to keep your vehicle starting as expected.