10 Signs It’s Time to Have Your Car Battery Checked at Grease Monkey
Car batteries don’t last forever. Eventually, age reduces the battery’s ability to hold a charge, and the battery needs to be replaced. The gradual deterioration of battery function normally allows drivers to spot symptoms of a dying battery, including dim headlights, difficulty starting the car, and battery corrosion. Below are ten signs of a weak car battery. If you detect these signs, drop by your local Grease Monkey® for a car battery check.
Dim Headlights and Dashboard Lights
One of the most common signs of a weak car battery are dim headlights and dashboard lights. As the battery fails, your lights no longer get enough power. Usually, the lights dim, but they can also flicker due to an inconsistent power supply. Headlights can also dim towards the end of their working life, so you may need to arrange for headlight services in addition to a car battery check.
Difficulty Starting Your Car
Having difficulty starting your car indicates the need for a car battery check. A failing battery is most likely to result in problems starting your engine after a period of inactivity, so it’s very common to experience battery-related difficulty starting a car in the morning.
Ignition Clicks
Ignition clicks suggest you have a weak battery struggling to crank your engine.
Slow Engine Crank
A vehicle’s starter relies on electricity from the battery, which the starter converts into mechanical energy that cranks the engine. If your engine struggles to turn over, a failing battery is one of several possible causes.
You Have to Jumpstart Your Car Frequently
A healthy car battery stores electrical energy between drives and uses this energy to start the engine. If you’re jumping a car battery frequently, you may need a new battery. This problem usually develops in older batteries but can affect new batteries if they have defects.
Your Battery Looks Bad
The appearance of your car battery may suggest it’s slowly failing. Battery corrosion and swollen or bulging battery cases indicate a car battery check is in order.
Swollen or Bulging Battery Case
A bulging or swollen car battery case may develop due to physical damage or after exposure to extreme heat or cold. The cells within the battery have swollen, giving the case its bulging appearance. A bulging battery case can rupture and is a potential fire hazard, so replace the battery as soon as possible.
Battery Corrosion
Battery corrosion can look like fluffy blue crystals around the battery terminals or like a transparent film on the top of the battery. Either of these symptoms suggests your battery is leaking battery acid or emitting acidic fumes. Participating Grease Monkey centers offer battery checks. During a battery check, our technicians test and clean battery terminals, remove corrosion, and confirm the battery is properly secured.
Your Engine Backfires
A failing battery’s lack of reliable power interferes with spark plug operation, resulting in backfiring. Many issues can cause a vehicle to backfire, but it’s important to rule out your battery as a potential cause.
The Gas Pedal Needs to be Pressed to Start the Car
If you need to press the gas pedal to start the car, your battery may be to blame. A failing battery may not deliver sufficient power to the starter, preventing the spark needed to ignite the fuel and produce the necessary build-up of compression in engine cylinders.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
So, how long do car batteries last, and when should you consider replacing yours? Most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing your battery every three to four years. Check your owner’s manual for when you should schedule a car battery check. Grease Monkey locations inspect and replace batteries at participating locations. Check our Location Page to find a Grease Monkey service center near you!