Car Battery Issues – Symptoms and Lockdown

Car battery issues are a given thing that any car owner faces once or occasionally in their life. Having a car needs one to constantly check on the battery life to ensure a healthy battery. You also have to check on the other car parts by taking the vehicle for servicing. Battery health is vital as it saves you the headache of being caught unawares and having to deal with a dead or flat battery.

In the article below, we give you some of the car battery issues symptoms to look out for. We also look at the car battery issues during the lockdown, the cold season, and ways of solving such issues. Let’s get started.

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Car Battery Issues Symptoms

Car issues that leave you stranded in an unfamiliar place with a dead battery are always an inconvenience and horrifying. Such a situation leaves you grappling with different solutions to solve the [problem. Thankfully, car batteries usually give a variety of warning signs that show they are about to fail. You can get a replacement battery or solve your car issues before you are left stranded when faced with such signs. Here are some of the car battery issues symptoms to watch out for.

1.Dim Headlights

Your car battery usually powers all the electronics in your vehicle. From your headlights to your dashboard computer and the radio. If your battery has issues, one of the signs you’ll notice will be dim or weaker headlights. The more you plug in other devices while driving (charging your phone), the faster your battery will drain and eventually die.

2.Old Battery

Old car batteries are a common culprit when it comes to experiencing battery issues. Any car owner needs to note the lifespan of their car battery. To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to have regular battery performance tests once your battery hits close to its maximum lifespan.

3.Slow or Sluggish Crank

Every car owner is always attuned to the normal sounds of their vehicle. One red flag to take note of is a slow or sluggish engine crank. It is a pointer of an impending dead battery.

4.Clicking or Cranking Sound When You Turn Your Key

One of the symptoms of a battery issue is cranking when you turn your key in the ignition. A failing battery will experience problems when it comes to powering the starter. Continuous cranks and clicking noises means that the starter receives insufficient or reduced power.

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5.Corroded Connectors

Corroded battery terminals lead to battery issues like having voltage issues and experiencing trouble when starting your vehicle.

Car Battery Issues During Lockdown

With lockdown rules coming into place and continuing globally, millions of car owners were forced and are still forced to cease unnecessary movements. Such rules have seen most cars forced into a standstill in home garages or parking lots. Vehicles that are not often used are at risk of experiencing car battery issues and breakdowns. During the lockdown, most people stay cooped up indoors and hardly or rarely get to use their vehicles. With the option of online and wholesale shopping, most car owners find little use for their vehicles. Cars left in parking for a long time will lose the charge faster. Such an issue may also be due to an old battery or a drained one due to continuous use of the electrical systems within your car.

According to research by TrakM8, the likeliness of a car or a car owner needing a new battery has increased by a third. It arises due to extended periods of vehicle inactivity which has led to battery failure. Research by TrakM8 also reveals that lockdown effects have led to an increase in the number of car batteries that needed a recharge by 46%.

So, for any car owner to avoid facing battery issues during a lockdown, here are some guides for you;

Use a battery conditioner or a trickle charger- this would help you preserve your battery for extended periods when the vehicle is not in use.

Make sure your battery has not surpassed its intended lifespan or it’s not fully charged.

Avoid short journeys.

Take yourself out for a 15-20 minutes’ drive at a time to top up your battery charge. Make sure such long drives do not lead to you breaking the lockdown rules.

Unplug unnecessary accessories that may lead to a draining battery.

Avoid turning your car engine on and off again to make it active.

Car Battery Issues When Cold

We all know that freezing temperatures or cold seasons have an impact on your battery's performance. But most car battery issues during the cold arise due to a dead or a dying battery. For car towers, it is a common occurrence to experience a spike in calls for assistance during cold seasons. It may range from needing a battery jump-start to solving frozen locks issues.

According to research by AAA Automotive Research Center, a car battery will lose about 60% of its total strength when subjected to 0o F. such results show that during cold weather, a car uses twice as much current and strength than it does in normal weather conditions. A typical car battery lifespan is estimated at 3-5 years. Most car batteries will experience issues when they near the third-year mark. Due to this, normal wear and tear, and other cumulative factors over time, you are likely to experience car issues during the cold. Apart from this, the devices you plug into your car also contribute to how long your battery life will last.

Some examples of battery issues during the cold include:

Faint whining sound or sluggish crank when you turn the ignition key.

Flickering headlights and dashboard lights.

A human error like leaving the interior lights or GPS on.

Loose cable connections or corrosion.

Here is what you can do to avoid the above issues;

Get your battery checked earlier to know what state it is in.

Switch off all loads including radio, wipers, and heater before turning off your engine to prevent battery drain.

Take your car out for driving.

Park your car in a garage or a warmer place where it can be shaded than be exposed to the outdoor weather.

Have a thermal blanket for your battery.

Fully charge your battery.

Conclusion

Car battery issues are a daunting experience for any car owner. But with such issues, there are several ways to solve them. From the guide above, we have given you symptoms and warning signs of a failing battery. In addition to this, we have also provided you with ways of mitigating such issues. Apart from this, when faced with battery issues that do not arise due to a dead battery, you can try to jumpstart your car. It is always a go-to option for most car owners when faced with a flat battery. In case it does not work, it is advised that you seek professional assistance.