Many of us use a car because of the convenience, because of the comfort that a car offers, compared to public transport. We want a car to take us to places we can’t reach by train, we want to be able to load all the necessary luggage without worrying about space and we want to be able to leave whenever we feel like it, without being tied to a strict schedule.
All these are advantages that a car offers us. As long as it works properly and we can rely on it. But when the car battery starts to weaken and shows a sign of death, there is every risk of getting stuck somewhere, in the middle of the holidays, in the middle of the road.
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And until someone comes to our rescue, giving us power for the battery , in the happy case that we have power cables, we are stuck.
But an effective way to avoid such situations can be to recognize from the start the signals that the battery is about to run out , to change it in time, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that the battery has when it is dying:
Problems when starting the engine
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The main purpose of the car battery is to help the engine start. The engine needs electricity and the battery is the source. In general, batteries tend to “crack” in the winter, when temperatures drop more and more, or possibly if you have not used the car for a long time.
The moment you try to start it, you will feel that it is struggling to start, it squeaks, it tries and in the happy case it still succeeds. When the engine is struggling, it means that the battery is already weak and you should interpret this as a signal that you need a new battery.
Electrical components
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As I mentioned, the battery is a primary and main source of electricity, but not only for the engine but also for the other electrical elements of the car.
If you notice that your headlights don’t light up the same way when you turn on the ventilation or the CD player, it means that the battery is trying to tell you something. If any of the electronics in your car start working intermittently, check for the first time to see if the power supply is OK. If so, then you can consider the battery playing tricks.
Warning light on the dashboard
In the happy case, your car will have a warning light to indicate the status of your battery. If it lights up, it’s a clear sign that you need to check your battery. On older cars, however, there is a chance that you will not have this witness.
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However, the same on-board indicator can indicate that you have problems with the electrical part of the car. Whatever the fault, you should consult an electrician
The battery case is swollen
You have to consider the fact that a battery is nothing but an amalgam of chemicals put together.
Thus, due to cold or excessive heat, there is a risk that it will swell. If you leave the car unattended for a long time in winter, there is a chance that it will simply freeze, meaning goodbye battery.
Battery too old
You should also consider the fact that your battery may die simply because it is too old. The average age of a battery would be between 4-5 years.
But this depends a lot on the exposure that the car suffers from cold or heat. However, if you have reached the 4th year with your battery, take it for a check, to make sure it lasts longer.
Strange odors
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If your battery still starts after being exposed to cold or excessive heat, it may have a strange odor. Many times you can smell rotten eggs, not exactly pleasant.
When you notice such an odor under the hood, you should check the battery as it will probably require attention and you may need a new one. Also, before a new battery, you will need to check the surrounding elements to make sure that possible battery leaks have not affected them.
What can you do in these cases to start the car?
Most of the time the battery problems leave us helpless until the moment it is changed or someone comes to save us, giving us power.
However, there are certain possibilities you can use to help yourself until you reach an electrician:
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You can ask for powerfrom someone - in case you are happy that your battery dies in the city or in the parking lot of the block / work, you can try to ask for electricity from any colleague or neighbor. All you need are power cords.
This way your car will start and you have to go directly to change the battery because the next time you stop the engine, you probably won’t restart without help.
You can try to start the car with a spare charger for electronics - you can find on the market several such chargers that will prove to be extremely useful especially if you plan trips or vacations in more remote areas, where you will not be able to ask. current from another car.
Pre-conceived ideas we have about car care
We often consider ourselves mechanics when it comes to the defects that occur with cars we have. But unfortunately there is a risk of doing more harm than good through these small interventions.
Thus, let’s take a look at certain care ideas that it would be better not to resort to but to call the mechanic / electrician directly:
It is not good to refuel on extremely hot days or after driving long distances - many believe that due to excessive heat, the combination of heat and fuel can cause burns.
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Be careful when washing the car - many people find it a good idea to clean the car immediately after a long journey, before all the dirt settles and is difficult to clean. But you have to think that from the perspective of metal elasticity, it is not a very good idea for your car.
Change the coolant and oil more often than necessary - you may think that this way you can avoid more damage in the future. But this is not the case. Rather, pay attention to the type of liquid and the quality of the oil you use and make sure to make the changes according to the recommendations in the technical book, not later.
More frequent periodic reviews - many believe that doing regular checkups more often than recommended can help them avoid many breakdowns. But this is not the case. Just be careful not to do them later than you should and turn to a mechanic if you feel that something is wrong with the car.
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The battery amperage must be higher in summer - many make this mistake because in summer they use the air conditioning system more often, which consumes electricity. But make sure that the battery you choose is of the amperage that is recommended for the type of car you are driving, not smaller and not bigger (because other defects can occur, burned out bulbs, etc.).
What can you do to prevent your battery from dying?
Periodically check the car’s electrical system - many times the problems that appear to be in the first instance from the battery come from an electrical system that no longer works properly. It may discharge excessively, thus failing to properly power the battery.
Check the battery regularly - when you go to the mechanic you can also check if your battery is working properly. The older the battery, the more vigilant you should be.
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Drive preventively in winter - especially in cold periods, it is not recommended to start the car and do very short trips, to park and start it again for a few kilometers. The battery needs a certain amount of time to charge enough before stopping the engine.
That being said, the basic idea is to drive preventively, to avoid premature damage to the car and its components, be careful and vigilant about the battery, check it when you have the opportunity and pay attention to the symptoms it shows, to avoid leaving you on the side of the road.
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