How to Tell If Your Car Battery Is About to Die: Warning Signs

 

Your battery is what powers up your vehicle and keeps it running. It’s what powers your lights, radio, and wipers. It’s the centre of your starting system and, once the car is started, it’s the battery that protects against a dangerous surge in power going to the vehicle’s built-in computer. This is why any Earlwood mechanic will agree that drivers need to look after their batteries better. You can start by learning the warning signs that might indicate that your battery is going to die.

Warning Light

The battery shaped warning light on your dash should not be illuminated at any time. If this warning light comes on, it’s a signal that something is wrong with the battery, alternator or another component of the charging system. It’s crucial to get this looked at as soon as possible as ignoring it could end up costing you a lot of money.

Clicking Sound But No Start

Do you hear a clicking sound when turning the key in the ignition? Is your car not starting? This is a sign that there isn’t enough power in the battery to engage the starter motor and start the engine. Again, find an Earlwood mechanic if this is happening to you as there’s a risk that you’ll ware down other parts of the starting system that may be otherwise working fine.

Electrical Issues

A weak battery will struggle to keep the car’s computer and electronic components working optimally. Dimmed lights, slow wipers, flickering engine lights and malfunctioning electric windows are all signs that there’s a problem the battery.

Old Age 

Old batteries can cause a number of different reliability and safety issues. 3 years is the average lifespan for a healthy car battery. Anything that’s over 3-4 years should be deemed dangerous and unfit for use.

Slow Starting Engine

A slow starting engine could be a signal that your battery is about to go. The start should be instantaneous and you shouldn’t have to turn the key twice for the engine to crank up.

And there you have it - 5 warning signs that your battery is in need of replacement. We hope you’ve learned something new about the mechanics of your car’s starting system and we hope that you can save yourself some stress and money by knowing the signs to look out for.

The Importance of Regular Car Servicing: Keeping Your Vehicle Safe on Australian Roads

When you own a car, things are so much easier in life. You can grab your keys and jump in your vehicle and do whatever you want to do. Perhaps you want to go workout at the gym, or have a few important errands to run. When it comes time to go to work, you just hop in your car or truck and you are on your way. Everything is easy when you can go where you want to go, whenever you want to go.

A reliable car also makes life a lot more fun. After a hard day at work, you can head out to meet friends for dinner and a great get together. On weekends, it’s easy to plan short trips and meet loved ones and friends for a drive through the country, some wine tasting or an exploration of a great natural wonder or park. And during the warmer months, you can embark on epic road trips that will create lasting memories. Keeping your car running right makes all of these moments possible.

Take Care of Factory Recommended Maintenance

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car in top shape is to make sure you follow the factory recommended maintenance schedule for your car. Each car or truck comes with a list of inspections or maintenance that should be done at selected intervals for your vehicle.

If you set up an appointment with your Earlwood mechanic, they’ll keep you on track with the scheduled maintenance that is due on your car. Typically, the maintenance list will be based on either time that has elapsed, or on kilometres driven.

Get Your Oil Changed Regularly

Getting regular oil changes helps keep your engine clean, and also boosts the performance of your vehicle. Over time sludge can build up in your engine oil, which makes the engine less effective. An oil change from your Earlwood mechanic can get things running right again.

When you keep up with regular oil changes, you can extend the life of your engine and your vehicle. You will get better gas mileage, and protect your engine from excessive wear and tear.

Have Your Car Inspected Before a Long Journey

If you are planning a long out of town trip, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your local automotive centre. Once there, your mechanic can inspect your car and make sure everything is in great shape for your planned adventure.

When you check things out ahead of time, you will have peace of mind knowing your car will be running smoothly during your extended travels.