The battery gives us some signals to realize that the change is necessary. Discover with Proautoenthusiast when to change the car battery!
We must get used to the fact that in cars, as in life, nothing is eternal and that includes our car battery. For the years that it lasts, on many occasions we take it for granted that it will always work and we realize that it is time to replace it until it no longer has enough charge to start our vehicle and as it happens on many occasions, that moment arrives when more we are in a hurry
In matters of automotive maintenance, attention to detail is very important because in most cases, the car gives us signs that some things are beginning to fail, only between our fast pace of life and lack of attention, we do not pay attention to the problem. called until the failure is major and the only option we have is to call the mechanic or the tow truck, which in addition to the inconvenience and loss of time, takes away an important part of our budget.
We know that the useful life of a battery is approximately 5 years, of course, to achieve this mark, care and good driving habits must be taken, so if you do the math and your car battery is about to fulfill five years of life, You should pay special attention to these signs.
1. Slow start
If you begin to notice that it is more difficult to start the engine, especially in the morning or during the winter, it may be a symptom that your battery is beginning to give the last moments of life. You may also notice intermittent operation of the radio or air conditioning.
2. Lights lose power
If when you turn on the lights you notice that they have less power than usual, it may mean that the battery is reducing its days of life. Just make sure it’s not a lighting issue.
3. Unpleasant odor
If you start noticing an unpleasant smell, similar to that of the egg, it means that there is a leak of sulfuric acid.
4. Swollen battery
Observation is very important to notice this type of failure, check that the battery is not swollen or has bulges on one of the sides, it is an indicator that you should look for a replacement. Also check that the terminals are not dirty or oxidized.
5. Indicator lit on dash
This is the most obvious sign that something important is going on with the battery. If you notice that the dashboard battery indicator stays on, it’s time to quote batteries for your car.
Some of these signs are more obvious than others, so it is important that if the battery is about to complete its life cycle, do not take your attention away from it. You can also verify with an electrician that the battery has sufficient charge. At rest, the battery voltage should be a minimum of 12.5 volts, if it is below that, it is time to make the change.
If your battery is relatively new or has not yet lived up to its years, this is how you can extend its useful life.
Avoid short runs. Remember that the battery needs at least 10 minutes of work to start recharging. If the battery is not fully charged for a short distance, you can reduce its life time by at least half, unlike a battery that is fully charged frequently.
Do not stop using the car for long periods of time, as this causes premature battery wear.
How long does a car battery last?
The battery does not wear out from one day to the next, unless it is due to carelessness (for example, you have left the lights on all night). It may happen that you have left the car stopped for a long time (such as when you go on a trip for a long time) and when you try to start it for the first time you find that it has no battery. This happens because, even if you don’t move it or start it, there are systems that continue to consume energy even when it’s turned off. It’s like when you leave the TV on standby . Therefore, if you are going to spend a long time without using the car, it is best to remove the battery.
If you run out of battery, not only will all these electrical systems stop working, but you won’t be able to start the engine. The good thing is that before losing all the charge, the battery gives a series of warnings that will allow you to avoid the terrible moment of being left lying.
Before proceeding to replace a battery, it is necessary to check if it is completely necessary , since there are cases in which even simpler repairs can be carried out. For example, some batteries can be repaired simply by removing the accumulated sulfate debris.
The lifespan of a normal battery is around four years, but this is in theory. Cars with many added electrical systems can cause the battery to drain sooner than expected. Other reasons for battery failure are sudden and frequent changes in temperature and an alternator failure.
Signs that indicate that you should change the battery of your car:
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Slow engine start. If at the time of wanting to start the vehicle it takes longer, the battery is in its last days.
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Swollen battery . If the battery is swollen or swollen, it’s time to buy a new one. Don’t forget to buy the right one for your model and year.
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strange smell If you detect an unpleasant odor under the hood such as rotten eggs, you should inspect your battery as soon as possible and change it if necessary.
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A light comes on on the dash. Most cars have a warning light on the dash, the light indicates when the battery is low or not holding power. This light can also be due to problems with the alternator or another part of the electrical system.
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It has little tension. To know what voltage the battery has, you have to use a voltmeter . At rest, the voltage must be at least 12.5 volts. If it is less, it must be changed.
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The lights have less power. If you notice that the lights do not turn on or do not turn on with power as they normally would, it may be a sign that it is time to change the battery.
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Faults in the electrical system. Interior lights, radio, wipers.