How to tell if your car battery needs replacing
How to tell if your car battery needs replacing
Does my car battery need replacing?
The last thing you want on a cold Monday morning is your car deciding it's not going to start today. As temperatures aren't exactly at the highest point at this time of the year, many people could fear the worst when starting their car the morning after a cold night. So, how do you know it's time for a battery check? Well apart from the obvious (the car not starting) there are a few signs you can look out for if you're concerned for the health of you car battery.
Battery warning light
The most simple way to tell if your battery needs a check is if the battery light on the dashboard pops up to let you know it needs some help, this is usually the cars way of telling you that there is some sort of problem with the battery.
Struggling to start
You may find that if your battery is on it's way out, the car still starts however it just takes a little longer than usual. This is one of the main signs of battery failure, especially in the cold months. While it is a possibility that something else is causing this, for example the alternator or the starter motor, you'll find that the majority of the time it is the battery.
Faulty electrical functions
Another sign that you can look out for is found within the electronics of the vehicle. If you are starting to notice problems with things such as the electric window function, the heaters or the lights, it could be a sign of a struggling car battery. You may see these functions begin to respond slowly or simply not work at all.
Start-Stop system no longer functions
Many modern cars now utilise start-stop technology that requires an upgraded EFB or AGM battery to work. You may see this feature stop working all together as a result of a dying battery. If the battery is starting to struggle, the car will automatically disable the start-stop function in order to make sure the car is able to start.
So, what can you do about it? If you notice any of these signs, the best thing to do is to contact County Battery or pop down to your local garage or battery/automotive store. County Battery offers free car battery tests and advice as well as offering competitively priced replacement batteries for most vehicles. Or if you need some advice and can't get to us, our friendly team of dedicated battery experts is on hand to answer any of your battery-related questions, just give us a call on 01623 757 377 or you can contact us here.
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