Does my car battery need charging or replacing?
Does my car battery need charging or replacing?
It’s a cold morning and after jumping in your freezing car you turn the ignition… just what you didn’t need, your battery is flat! Most drivers at one time or another have had the annoyance of a drained battery, in fact batteries are said to account for 2 out of every 3 breakdowns in the UK.
Unfortunately most car owners don’t worry about the health of their vehicle’s battery until there’s a problem and they’re frantically googling “what to do if you have a flat battery”. They might then wonder if their battery just needs recharging or replacing altogether. So before you start pricing up a brand-new battery, take a look at our handy guide which will help explain whether your battery needs to be charged or replaced.
What causes a flat battery?
Common reasons for a flat battery include:
- Leaving your car standing for a long time
- Freezing weather conditions
- Leaving your lights on without the engine running
- Battery age
Flat batteries on new cars
Most of us associate flat batteries with old vehicles but often newer cars are more reliant on the health and power of their battery. This is because newer vehicles are designed with more sophisticated on-board computer systems and features which put a greater strain on the battery. These powerful computers often remain in operation even when the vehicle is parked and switched off. This can slowly but surely drain the battery at a steady rate, causing issues over time especially if the car isn’t being used for a period of time.
Using your car to charge mobile phones, tablets & laptops will also put a huge strain on your battery and could drain it completely if it’s already showing signs of deterioration.
Signs your battery just needs recharging
- Battery less than 3 years old
- No previous problems
- Your car has been standing for a week or two
- You’ve left your lights on whilst parked
If your battery is less than 3 years old, but your car has been standing for a while or you accidentally left your interior light on causing a flat battery then it’s likely that recharging it will be fine. You can do this by using another vehicle to jumpstart your car or by using a battery charger.
Once your car is up and running its worth having your battery tested. This will measure the voltage & start capacity and enable a technician to advise if your battery is reaching the end of its life.
Signs your battery needs replacing
- Battery is over 4-5 years old
- Electric features not functioning normally
- Dull headlights
If your battery is over 4 years old we’d advise replacing it with a new one. You may find you’re able to temporarily recharge a battery this old, however it’s likely to lose its charge again very soon. Older batteries do deteriorate over time and naturally lose their ability to hold a charge.
Even old batteries in need of replacement can provide enough power to start a car when they’re charged. Signs that your battery is reaching the end of its life are often found in electronic features they aren’t functioning as normal. Sometimes a weak battery can trigger the “check engine” light as the battery hasn’t the power to send enough energy to the onboard computer. If your interior or dashboard lights are dull it can be an indication that your battery is failing. Headlights are another sign, if you find they’re dim then it could be down to the battery. As good test is to put the vehicle in park or neutral and gently rev the engine – if your headlights get brighter as you rev then it’s a sign that your battery is failing.
If your battery is starting to struggle and hasn’t been replaced in a few years, don’t take any risks. Vehicle batteries are relatively inexpensive, and the small cost of a replacement is worth avoiding the stress & inconvenience of a roadside breakdown. Here’s some more information about what battery you need for your car.
How to make your vehicle battery last longer
- Use your vehicle regularly. Even driving your car once a week will help prevent the battery from becoming drained.
- Don’t leave your lights on whist your engine is switched off. Charging your mobile phone, using your car multimedia system or any other smart feature whilst parked will put a strain on your battery.
- Service your car regularly. An inefficient engine and unmaintained components can put extra strain on your battery.
- Get into the habit of having regular battery checks. If connections are checked & your battery terminals are kept clean & free from dust & dirt your battery will last longer.