Your battery warning light is not going to tell you that your vehicle’s battery is dying. This light will turn on if there is an issue with your automobile’s charging system, such as a failing alternator. This said, your car battery will not just die; there are usually signals of the impending doom. We here at Urb’s Garage advise you look for these five signs that your car battery is dying.
1. Age
On average, a vehicle’s battery will last about three years; if it’s older than that, chances are its dying. The weather in Burlington, KY, is pretty tepid year-round, but if you live in an area with super hot summers and frigid winters, this, too, will take a toll on your car battery’s life. If you want to know how old your car battery is, pop the hood and check the sticker on the battery.
2. Slow Start
If you insert the key into the ignition and turn it only to hear a whirring sound before your engine starts, your car or truck’s battery is dying. Your vehicle should start right away. There shouldn’t be a whirring sound prior to ignition. If there is, swing by an auto shop to get your battery tested. This will tell you how much life it has left in it.
3. Doesn’t Start
If you hear a click or listen to an extended cranking sound but the engine doesn’t start when you turn the ignition key, your battery doesn’t have any life left in it. It might have enough life left to jumpstart it, but you should immediately drive to the mechanic after it starts to purchase a replacement battery. As Bones McCoy says in Star Trek, “[Its’] dead, Jim.”
4. Dashboard Lights Still Work…
… but nothing else does. This means your car battery has enough juice to power the electrical components in your vehicle but not enough to start it. In this case, the issue could also be your starter, which is good that it isn’t your battery but bad because you’ll have to replace that part. Either way, get it checked to isolate the issue and fix it.
5. Frequent Jumps
Finally, if you have to have your car, truck or SUV jumpstarted frequently, you need a new battery. Think of it like your mobile phone. The older the battery gets the less charge it holds. The same is true with your automobile’s battery. It’s dying if it can’t hold a charge for an extended time. It’s better to replace the battery than to jump it constantly.
Urb’s Garage can test your car battery. Swing by our shop in Burlington, KY, or call us to set an appointment.
