5 ways to know when your car needs a new battery
26th Jun, 2024
Your car battery is one of its most essential components. It doesn’t matter if everything else is in perfect working order – if your car battery is dead, it’s not going anywhere. The good news is that it’s not a terribly tricky problem to solve, and it’s not necessarily hugely expensive either. Most batteries cost somewhere between a hundred to two hundred pounds, which is much cheaper than, say, a new engine. Of course, even a hundred pounds might well be enough to render your car uneconomical to maintain, which may lead you to scrap your car – but that’s your decision!
Of course, generally costs like these are manageable as long as they don’t catch you off-guard. So to minimise the chances of that happening, here are five of the most useful indications of when your car might need a new battery!
Warning lights on the dashboard
Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated onboard diagnostics that monitor various systems, including the battery, which means it’s likely that your car has got a very similar system in place. If you notice a battery warning light illuminated on your dashboard — typically represented by a small battery icon or with indicators like “ALT” (alternator) or “GEN” (generator) — it’s a clear sign that something is wrong.
This warning could mean one of several things – possibly that your battery isn’t charging properly, or that it’s unable to hold a charge. Ignoring this indicator may lead to more serious issues, so it’s essential to address it promptly. A mechanic can conduct a diagnostic check to pinpoint the exact issue and recommend appropriate solutions.
Difficulty starting your car in the morning
Struggling to start your car is a common symptom of a failing battery, especially in the morning or after it’s been parked for a while. (It’s one reason why there was such an nationwide epidemic of failing batteries after the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, immediately after millions of cars had been sitting static for several months at a time.)
If your engine cranks slowly or you hear clicking sounds when you turn the key, it’s likely your battery is losing its charge-holding capacity. This issue often becomes more noticeable in colder weather when batteries have to work harder to start the engine. Regular maintenance checks can help identify battery deterioration early on, potentially saving you from unexpected breakdowns.
Frequent need for jump starts
If you find yourself frequently relying on jump-starts to get your car going, it’s a sign that your battery is struggling to maintain a charge. While jump-starting can temporarily revive a dead battery, it’s not a long-term solution. Continually jump-starting your car can also put stress on other electrical components, and may indicate a more significant issue with the battery or charging system that needs attention. Again, a professional inspection can determine whether the problem lies with the battery itself or with other related components, so it’s never a bad idea to take it into the mechanic’s.
Slow engine turnover
When you turn the key in the ignition, your engine should turn over quickly and smoothly. If you notice that the engine cranks slowly or takes longer than usual to start, it could be due to a weak battery. This symptom often indicates that the battery doesn’t have enough power to spin the engine efficiently, especially in colder temperatures or after the car has been idle for some time. Regularly checking and replacing old batteries can help maintain optimal performance and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Unusual battery smells or bulging case
Sometimes, the signs of battery deterioration are even more obvious – and you may not necessarily need any specialist expertise to notice them, Physical signs of battery deterioration often manifest as unusual odours (like rotten eggs) or a bulging battery case. A sulphurous smell often indicates that the battery is overheating or leaking gas, while a bulging case suggests internal damage. Both situations pose serious safety risks, and they’ll require immediate attention from a professional.
In terms of the egg smell, it’s also thankfully quite difficult to miss – so even if you conduct just a cursory check of your battery from time to time, you’ll be able to give yourself peace of mind that there are no signs of physical damage either.
As we’ve touched on above, thankfully batteries aren’t too expensive to replace – but if you decide that your car isn’t worth the extra expense, you may decide to scrap it instead. If so, that’s exactly where we can help. Here at Scrap Car Network, we’ll always be here to provide you with the very best price on your old car! All you need to do is enter your car reg and postcode into the fields on our site, and we’ll get you an instant online quote before you can say cash for cars. It only takes a few seconds. Curious to find out how much your car is worth?
