Warning Signs that You Need to Replace a Car Battery

A modern car battery usually lasts between one and four years depending on how often and how much you use your car. You must keep your car battery in good working order, or you’ll face inconvenient and expensive consequences. In this article, the best mechanic in Brisbane teaches you what to look out for and how to pick the right battery for your vehicle. 

Why is it important to check your car battery? 

Your car battery might look good as new on the outside, but it’s the inner working that matters the most. Living in Queensland exposes your car to all kinds of abuse: heat, long drives, and corrosion. You need your car battery to work well because it brings all the electrical components in the vehicle to life. Without a working battery, you won’t be able to start your car (quickly or at all) nor use electrical systems like headlights. Driving with dim or faulty headlights and indicators is a serious safety issue. Furthermore, a dying car battery can give out at any moment and leave you stranded. 

Signs That Your Car Battery is Dying 

There are several tell-tale signs that you need to replace a car battery. If you’re unsure, you should contact your local mechanic for their advice, particularly if they’ve dealt with your car before. In any case, it may be time to replace a car battery if: 

• Your car is difficult to start, is turning over slowly or not at all. A clicking sound when you’re trying to start your car is a sure sign that the battery is flat. 

• Your headlights are dim and other electrical signals are slow or faulty. 

• Warning lights on your dash pop up regarding your car battery.

• The connectors on your car battery are corroded or the terminals are coated in a lot of discharge.

• The battery case is swollen, leaking, or distorted in shape. 

• You know that your car battery is old and hasn’t been replaced in several years. 

What kills car battery life? 

There are loads of factors affecting the performance and lifespan of your car battery. Several myths about car batteries circulate regularly, but we’ll list the real reasons your car battery is dying, below: 

• When a car is not driven regularly, the battery will go flat. 

• If you’re not servicing your car regularly, your battery is probably neglected. Every car battery needs to be serviced to prevent them from going flat. 

• If a car battery is improperly installed, there’s no telling how the car will perform. 

• Living in a hot climate kills your car battery faster due to water loss, heat distortion and increased corrosion. 

These are just some of the most common factors affecting battery life. If you service your car regularly with a professional mechanic in Brisbane, you can rest assured that your battery is well taken care of. 

Here are some tips for taking care of your car battery. These tips should ensure that your car battery works reliably for a reasonable amount of time considering the brutal conditions in Queensland. 

What to Do if You Need to Replace a Car Battery 

If you’ve noticed one or more of the above warning signs and you live and drive in the Queensland heat regularly, it’s time to call a trusted mechanic in Brisbane. Here are some of our best tips to find a service quote you can trust in Brisbane. You don’t want to be taken advantage of, after all! 

Pearson Automotive is here to help you service, maintain and repair your car. Whatever you need, one of our skilled mechanics will sort you out. Give us a call today to chat about your concerns and how we can help you.