There is one sure way to tell if the battery in your car is bad. If you turn the key and are greeted with nothing but silence, it may be time for a new battery.
Unfortunately, waiting for your battery to fail and your car to fail to start is not the best course of action. Car batteries often choose the worst possible times to die, like on the coldest night of the year or when you are already late for work. So how can you tell if your car battery is going bad, and what signs should you look for?
Weak Headlights
One of the classic early warning signs of a dying car battery is weak light from your headlights. The headlights on your car require a lot of power, and they draw that energy from the battery. If the battery is in a weakened state, there may not be enough power to fully light the headlights.
If the road seems darker than it used to, or if you are suddenly having trouble seeing after dark, it could be your battery. Having your battery tested is important, and it could improve your nighttime driving safety.
Hard Starting
Hard starting is another warning sign of a bad battery, and one you should not ignore. If your battery is working the way it should, your car should start right away, with no grinding or hesitation.
If you have noticed your vehicle starts harder than it used to, your battery could be to blame. Hard starting is a symptom you should never ignore, so talk to your car care professional today.
Time
The march of time can really take a toll on your battery, and every battery has a limited lifespan. If you cannot remember the last time you got a new battery, it is time to check the sticker.
Every battery should have a sticker somewhere on the case, one that shows the month and year it was first installed. The battery case should also include a rating, often expressed in terms of months. If the battery is at, or near, the end of its useful life, it is time to get it replaced now, before it leaves you stranded.
You rely on your battery every time you start your car, and you need to know that battery has plenty of power. Knowing the signs of a failing battery can save you from the inconvenience of having your battery fail at the worst possible moment.
