How to Tell Your Car Battery is Dying

No one wants to deal with a bad battery during a busy Lincoln morning, but many drivers miss the signs your car battery is dying. Batteries typically only last a few years, so it’s a good idea to keep up on your maintenance and schedule your replacement before things go south. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common dying car battery warning signs to help you act fast.

Ten Dying Car Battery Warning Signs

If you aren’t sure how to tell your car battery is dying, it pays to do a little research. Some signs are more subtle and easy to miss, while others are more obvious to a seasoned driver. See if any of these warning flags look familiar, and if so, be sure to visit our service center at Sid Dillon Ford Crete!

1. “Check Engine” Light: Your check engine light will let you know if something is wrong, but it won’t tell you specifically what the issue is. When you bring your car into the service center, we can run instant diagnostics to let you know.
2. Slow Engine Turnover: When you start your engine, it should spring to life instantly. If it hesitates or stutters, it’s time to schedule a service. It could be anything from the battery to the starter.
3. Ignition Clicks: If you try to start the engine and you’re met with a rhythmic clicking, that means there is either limited or no battery power available.
4. Dim Headlights: Your headlights require power to keep going and if they appear dim or dark, your battery could be failing.
5. Electrical Issues: Your battery has a direct influence over your automotive electrical systems: radios, dashboard lights, windshield wipers, power window controls, and more. If you notice electrical issues, that’s one of the key signs your car battery is dying.
6. Corroded Battery Terminals: Battery acid can leak, hardening onto the terminals and damaging your battery. Cleaning your terminals periodically can help prolong the life of your battery for this reason.
7. Cold Weather: Cold weather can weaken your battery power or even freeze it completely. Keep this in mind during those frigid Seward and Omaha winters.
8. Sulfur Odors: If you pop the hood and notice the smell of rotten eggs, that’s one of the more off-putting dying car battery warning signs – usually caused by a leaking battery.
9. Bulging Battery Case: A bulging or cracked battery case is a major sign of damage, and it’s important to get your battery replaced as soon as possible. Our service department can help you discard and recycle the old battery too!
10. Old Age: Batteries don’t last forever, even with the best care, so check the manufactured date on the case. Have your battery tested if it has been around for four years or longer.

Schedule Your Service at Sid Dillon Ford Crete

Learning how to tell your car battery is dying is a great skill for any driver, but sometimes you just need a professional’s opinion. Whether you want to know more about the signs your car battery is dying or you’re ready for a battery check, visit Sid Dillon Ford Crete in Crete. Feel free to contact us with your questions or schedule an appointment today!