How to know when your car battery is bad

Car batteries are essential for the performance of your vehicle. A bad battery may result in problems starting your vehicle or even cause more extensive issues with the electrical system. It is crucial to know when your car battery is going bad to avoid being stranded in an inconvenient location.

In this article, we will go over some signs that indicate your car battery may be failing. These signs may vary depending on both the type and age of your battery. Therefore, it is vital to pay attention to any changes in your vehicle’s performance, as they may be indications of a faulty battery.

By recognizing the warning signs of a failing battery, you can take preventative measures such as replacing your battery before it completely dies. This can save you time and money on repairs in the long run.

Let’s dive in and explore the telltale signs that your car battery is bad.

How to Know When Your Car Battery is Bad

1. Slow Engine Crank

A slow engine crank is a good sign that your car battery is about to go out. When you turn the key in the ignition, the engine should start fairly quickly. But if it takes a long time for the engine to turn over, the battery is likely weak or dying.

2. Dimming Headlights

If your car’s headlights are dimming when you drive, it’s another sign that your battery is not functioning properly. Dim lights could be due to a weak or dying battery, or a charging system that’s not working correctly.

3. Check Engine Light

A check engine light could mean that there’s an issue with your battery. Modern cars are designed to give you a warning if there’s a problem with the battery or the charging system. If the check engine light comes on, you should take your car to a mechanic or a dealership to get it checked out.

4. Swollen Battery Case

If you notice that your battery case is swollen or bloated, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your battery. When a battery is damaged, it can release gas and cause the case to swell. If this happens, you should replace the battery immediately.

5. Bad Smell

If you notice a bad smell coming from under the hood of your car, it could be a sign that your battery is leaking. A leaking battery can release sulfuric acid, which has a strong, unpleasant odor. If you notice this smell, take your car to a mechanic right away.

Conclusion

Knowing when your car battery is going bad is important because it can prevent you from getting stranded on the side of the road. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get your battery checked out and possibly replaced. Regular battery maintenance and replacement can help keep your car running smoothly.

Checking Battery Age

Checking the Date Code

One of the most reliable ways to check the age of a car battery is to look at the date code on the battery case. Most car battery manufacturers use a four or five-digit code to identify the production date. The code usually consists of a letter and a number, such as A4 or B5. The letter represents the month of production, with A being January and L being December. The number represents the year of production, with 9 meaning 2009, 0 meaning 2010, and so on.

For example, if the code on your battery is C8, it means that the battery was manufactured in March 2018. If the battery code is older than three years, it is considered to be near the end of its lifespan and may need to be replaced soon.

Testing Battery Voltage

Another way to check the age of a car battery is to test its voltage. A fully charged battery should have a voltage of around 12.6 volts. Over time, the battery can lose its charge and its voltage will drop. If the battery voltage is below 12.4 volts, it may be a sign that the battery is near the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

To test the battery voltage, you can use a multimeter or a voltmeter. Simply connect the device to the battery terminals and read the voltage. If the battery voltage is significantly lower than 12.6 volts, it may be a sign that the battery is bad or needs to be recharged.

Consulting with a Professional

If you’re unsure about the age or condition of your car battery, it’s always best to consult with a professional mechanic or technician. They can perform a thorough inspection of your battery and test its performance to determine if it needs to be replaced.

A skilled mechanic can also advise you on the best kind of replacement battery for your vehicle, as well as provide tips on how to maintain and prolong the lifespan of your new battery.

Visual Inspection for Corrosion

Why Visual Inspection is Important?

One of the key factors affecting the lifespan of a car battery is corrosion. Corrosion occurs when acid accumulates on the battery terminals, causing a hard, blue-green crust to form. This crust can make it difficult for the battery to receive and dispense charge, ultimately leading to the battery’s failure. One way to identify corrosion on your battery is to perform a visual inspection.

How to Visually Inspect for Corrosion?

To visually assess your battery for corrosion, open the hood of your car and locate the battery. Wear gloves and use a flashlight to get a better view of the terminals. If you see a white or bluish powdery substance on the terminals, that’s corrosion. This substance can also appear as a hard, blue-green crust. If left unchecked, this can lead to serious battery problems and can cause the battery to fail.

If you see any corrosion on your battery, it needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. Use a wire brush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water to carefully remove the corrosion from the battery terminals. Be sure to disconnect the battery cables before cleaning the terminals. After cleaning, rinse the battery terminals with water and dry them with a clean cloth. You can also apply a protective coating to the terminals to prevent corrosion from forming in the future.

Regular visual inspections of your car battery can help to identify corrosion early, allowing you to take preventative measures to extend the life of your battery. Remember to always wear gloves when handling a battery, and never touch the terminals with your bare hands since they can cause a shock. If you’re unsure about how to perform a visual inspection or clean the terminals, take your car to a mechanic who can perform these tasks for you.

• Wear gloves when inspecting the battery.
• Use a flashlight to get a better view.
• Remove corrosion with a wire brush and baking soda solution.
• Rinse the terminals with water and dry them with a clean cloth.
• Consider applying a protective coating to the terminals to prevent future corrosion.

Testing Voltage and Load Capacity

Measuring Voltage

One way to test a car battery is to measure its voltage using a multimeter. With the engine off, connect the multimeter to the battery terminals. A fully charged battery should read about 12.6 volts, while a voltage below 12.4 volts indicates a weak battery. If the battery’s voltage is 11.8 volts or less, it is likely that the battery is completely discharged.

Load Testing

Another way to determine if a car battery is bad is to perform a load test. A load tester applies a heavy load to the battery and measures its capacity to deliver power. To perform a load test, connect the load tester to the battery terminals and follow the instructions on the device. A healthy battery should be able to sustain a load for at least 15 seconds without dropping below 9.6 volts.

A weak battery may not be able to sustain a load for very long, indicating that its capacity to hold a charge has diminished. If the battery fails the load test, it is likely that it needs to be replaced. It is important to note that not all batteries can be load tested, so consult the manufacturer’s recommendations before attempting a load test.

Warning Signs of Battery Failure

Slow Engine Cranking

If your engine is slow to start or cranks slowly, it could indicate a dying battery. This happens because the battery doesn’t have enough power to start the engine.

Dimming Lights

As the battery starts to fail, the lights on your car may become dimmer than usual. This includes headlights, interior lights, and dashboard lights. This happens because the battery can’t provide enough power to keep them bright.

Warning Light Appears

If the battery warning light on your dashboard turns on, it’s a clear sign that the battery is failing. This warning light looks like a battery or sometimes it looks like the check engine light. Either way, it’s a clear sign that something is not right with the battery.

Battery Swelling or Corrosion

If you see swelling or corrosion around the battery terminals, that’s a clear sign that your battery is dying. This happens because the battery is starting to leak acid, which can cause the terminals to corrode or even cause the battery case to swell.

Old Battery

If your battery is over three years old and you start experiencing problems with it, it could be a sign that it’s time to replace it. Car batteries have a limited lifespan, so it’s important to keep track of how old your battery is.

• If you experience any of the warning signs listed above, it’s important to have your battery checked by a professional as soon as possible. A dead battery can leave you stranded and cause serious damage to your car’s electrical system if left unchecked.