The Car Battery

The car battery is one of the most important components of the car as it takes care of starting the engine and sending electricity to every component who requires it. If it gets discharged, this doesn’t happen and literally leaves you stuck on the side of the road.

Being stuck with a dead car battery is a big problem and it is more common that you might think. According to research by consumerreports.org, this happens to 80% of drivers, especially in between season changes. In fact, sudden changes in temperature cause the cases to have a spike, because the physical conditions that allow the accumulation of energy and its release will change.

So what to do?

The best way to avoid being left stranded due to a flat car battery is to notice it in time by recognising the first signs. In this article, you will learn to identify them and prevent the battery from failing.

Low car battery: the first signs

Usually the car battery, if of good quality, does not suddenly fail, but there are initial symptoms and small signs to keep an eye on. Let’s see them together:

1. The car tends to “cough” when starting: be careful if you hear the engine start with a little noise. This is a possible sign of battery failure.

2. The car has problems starting: if the engine feels “tired” or “slow” starting, then the car battery is most likely running low.

Flat car battery: what to do?

When the car tends to “cough”: take it to the workshop and have the battery charge checked.

When it’s having starting problems: have the mechanic check the condition of the battery, the starter motor and the alternator. The starting motor or other electrical components could be absorbing more energy than necessary. It is therefore advisable to check whether changing the car battery is enough or if the mechanic should be proceeding with a diagnosis to solve other problems.

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If the car has been stationary for a long time or travels just a few kilometres a day, the car battery could run down because it is not completing the normal charging and energy release cycles. In this case, a check-up and a recharge may be sufficient to ensure normal operation.

How long does the car battery last?

Any car mechanic or auto electrician will tell you that it depends from a few different factors. It can last as little as 1 year if the battery is of poor quality. A good one lasts 3-4 years on average, depending on the brand, the type of use of the vehicle, the distance traveled and the climate in which you live. In some cases it can even last 6-7 years. For these reasons, it is good practice to keep the battery under control through the annual scheduled service to avoid surprises.

4 tips on how to prevent sudden failure

TIP 1 – Every 6 months have a check-up with your mechanic. It is advisable to do this every change of season before the temperature drops or rises excessively.

TIP 2 – If you have a good knowledge of electrical engineering: monitor the battery with the voltmeter.
– If you get a value higher than 12.1 V from standstill your battery is “healthy”
– If the value between 11.5 and 12 V when stationary, the battery is “in distress” and must be evaluated professionally to understand whether to proceed with recharging or replacement.

-Under 11.5 V it definitely needs to be replaced.

TIP 3 – Not everyone knows that the “do-it-yourself” battery change or checking the level and density of the electrolyte are extremely dangerous. For safety reasons, the batteries have become completely sealed over time. Never try to break the sealing because there is a serious risk of contact with acids. Always contact your trusted mechanic to replace the battery.

TIP 4: If you have a dead car battery at home, or you see one abandoned, take it to an auto service centre or to your trusted mechanic. Disposing of it costs nothing and it helps the environment.

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