Your car battery is one of the most essential components of your vehicle. Without it, your engine wouldn’t turn on, and neither would any of the electrical components of your car. This includes your lights, wipers, stereo and more.
Unfortunately, problems can arise when you least expect it. We’ve put together a handy guide so you know the signs of a dying battery, and what to do if it happens.
Signs of a dying battery
Getting stranded with a vehicle that isn’t turning on is never convenient. Luckily when it comes to batteries, there are some warning signs to look out for:
- Warning light
Starting with the most obvious sign your battery is on its last legs, is the dashboard warning light. It’s never a good idea to ignore warning lights – it means an issue has been detected and needs attention as soon as possible.
2. Loss of power to electrics
As previously mentioned, your battery powers the electrical components in your car.
If you’re finding your electric windows, heated seats, lights or heaters aren’t working as efficiently as normal, this may be a sign it needs attention.
3. Issues when starting your car
The hardest role your battery has is starting the engine – it requires a huge surge of energy. When your battery is struggling, it may take longer than usual to start up.
If you’re turning the key and you hear a clicking noise – it’s unfortunately the case that it doesn’t have the power to turn your engine on at all. It’ll need to be jump-started in this case (here’s how).
Tips for battery maintenance
It’s often the case that we can’t prevent our battery from dying. However, there are some things you do that may be draining it faster. Here’s some tips and things to avoid to take care of your battery.
- Turn on your engine regularly
We all have times where we haven’t driven in a while – whether you’re on holiday, you’re ill, or you simply don’t need to.
Your car needs to run regularly to prevent the battery from running out. If you don’t have any planned journeys, try to simply turn the engine on every now and then. If you’re away on a long-term trip, it’s a good idea to ask someone to do this for you.
- Only use what is necessary
Your battery doesn’t only help turn your engine on, but also helps power your lights and stereo. If your engine is off, remember to switch off your lights and radio if they’re not necessary.
- Get your battery checked
If you’re suspecting issues, don’t leave it too late. Bring it to Bodymek and our friendly team will take a look to see if there’s a problem or if it needs replacing.
What to do if it dies
No one wants to be stuck with a dead battery at the best of times. It’s an automatic reaction for many to call their recovery company, but there may be something you can do to help first.
If you’re lucky enough that your battery hasn’t completely discharged, a battery charger may come to your rescue. It’s a good idea to keep one of these in your car if possible, so you’re prepared for the worst.
If your battery has ran out, a jump start is your best option. This requires another car and some jump leads, but can be dangerous if not done correctly.
Take a read of a jump start guide. If you have any doubts or just aren’t sure, it’s best to not risk your safety. Call your local breakdown provider and see if they can help.
