9 Unmistakable Signs Your Car Battery Is Dying

1. Dimming Headlights

One of the best ways to know your battery is dying is to check the headlights. If your battery charge is low, your lights will appear dimmer and duller than usual. Although you may try to adjust the brightness, the headlights will get back to being dim. This occurrence is a possible sign of a dying car battery.

2. Starting Difficulty

When your battery dies, you will realize your engine takes more time to start. You will likely have one or two instances of the same warning sign.

3. Consistent Backfiring

A failing car battery can cause sparks that can lead to fuel accumulating cylinders, causing your vehicle to backfire. However, different faults can cause backfiring. Conduct a battery test to establish the exact problem.

4. Clicking Sound

A failing battery will make the electrical current sent to the starter weak when you turn on the key. In this case, when the starter receives insufficient power for the engine start, it will cause clicking sounds. If you hear these noises, make sure to check your battery.

5. Cold Weather

Your battery is more likely to fail due to cold weather, especially if you have exposed your car to cold temperatures for an extended period. You cannot recharge it, leaving you with no option but to buy another one. Therefore, ensure you do regular checkups to ensure your battery is in good condition.

6. Bad Smells

You may notice an awful smell when you start your car and open the hood. This odor may indicate your battery is leaking and needs replacement or repair. This predicament can result from external damage, internal short circuit, or old age.

7. Corroding Battery Terminals

Corrosion is one of the reasons why vehicle batteries die. In this case, acid from the batteries leaks to the connectors and reduces contact between the connecting points and the terminals. As a result, your battery cannot recharge using your car’s alternator.

You can easily detect corroded battery terminals associated with the blue-green powder. While you can wipe the leaked acid using a dry piece of cloth, you should replace the battery to enhance its reliability.

8. Bulging Battery Case

Continued exposure to heat or cold may lead to your batteries taking different shapes. Car batteries should maintain their rectangular shape. Taking another form is dangerous as it can lead to a crack that could leak the battery acid.

9. Aging Battery

Have you replaced your car battery in the recent past? Typically, car batteries last a few years, except for electric vehicles. You can know the manufacture date of your battery on the case. If you have not replaced it in the last few years, test it.