When Does a Car Battery Need to be Replaced?
The primary function of the battery in your car is to assist in the ignition of the engine. Modern cars come with a maintenance-free 12V acid battery, that is rechargeable. The battery charge is used for powering the electricals when your car is parked, and to turn on the engine anytime you want to start it. Once the car is started, the alternator in your car generates electric power to recharge the battery. But over time, the battery loses its capacity to hold charge. And one day, you won’t be able to start your car. By then, you will be wondering where to
service my car in Dubai. Your car battery should be replaced to avoid this situation. On average, a car battery has a life of 5 to 7 years. The battery of a vehicle that is driven daily and kept at full charge lasts longer than other cars. Parking for long periods of time can badly affect the life of your battery. Many car owners have said that their battery lasted for a good 10 years, and this can happen if you take good care. It also depends on the size of your battery.
Usually larger batteries last longer.
How can you know if the battery is falling?
You will be wondering whether there are any signs that the battery is failing. Happily, the answer is yes. When your battery gets weak you can notice that your engine takes longer to start. You may also see that the lights in your dashboard flickering while turning the ignition on. This happens during the instances when the battery is fully charged after a drive. If your car has power windows, another noticeable sign is the slower movement of the electric windows when the engine is turned off. You might also notice that the lights of your car start dimming, and becomes brighter when the engine is revved. Also, while you open the hood, if there is excessive corrosion at the battery terminals and cables, it means that the battery is becoming weak.
How can you test the battery?
The capacity of your car battery can be checked in CCA or Cold Cranking Amps. You can take your car to a service center where they will test your battery using special testers. After the test, you will get a detailed printout that indicates whether your battery needs be to replaced or just recharged. You can also test the battery using a voltmeter, but the reading won’t be really precise. A fully charged battery should show a reading of 12.6 volts or above while the engine is off. Then, check the reading with the headlights on. If the reading drops to less than 11 volts, the battery is weak.
Other important things to know
Sometimes a problem with the battery terminals can make your vehicle to not start. If one of the terminals are loose or corroded, it may cause problems with starting the engine. The battery terminals should be checked during your routine service and should be replaced if required. You can clean the terminals using a protective spray or by applying some grease. Another thing to know is that replacing your battery by yourselves is not a difficult task. But the car battery is usually very heavy and lifting it yourselves can be really hard. Moreover, old batteries may be covered in an electrolyte, that is acidic, and can burn your skin. It is always recommended that the task should be given to a good service center.
