Car batteries supply the car with energy and also enable the engine to start working.
The used energy is replaced by the alternator while driving.
A battery should always have sufficient capacity and charge to start the engine.
Modern batteries in cars are robust, of precisely adjusted capacity, and offer a long service life.
Nevertheless, the situation where your car battery becomes empty (without charge) does occur.
Before the car battery becomes dead, here are some of the signals you should notice
- The engine will start slow
- The engine will crank and it will not start.
- The engine neither crank or start
- Not starting regularly like before
- Swollen battery case or when it has cracks
- The battery is smelling bad like a rotten egg
If your car is not starting quickly, it may mean that the battery is weak, and you’ll have to recharge it.
If your car only stutters desperately or the engine keeps going off, you usually have to charge the car battery.
Charging Your Car Battery – What you Need
You do not need much to bring your car battery back to life.
However, for a durable and long-life battery span, you should perhaps use a liquid battery when buying a new car.
This is especially important if your car is usually parked outside in winter or is not used regularly.
The liquid battery is a little more expensive than the fleece battery and gel battery, but it can save you a lot of time and problems.
If you have a second car and a jump lead, you can use it to get your battery back on track.
Otherwise, you will need a charger for your battery.
If you don’t have a charger for your car battery, you should choose one with automatic delta-peak cut-off.
For example, you can leave your battery to charge overnight without worrying, as the device switches off automatically as soon as the car battery is charged.
You should also make sure that the charger is compatible with as many types of car battery as possible.
This way you don’t have to buy a new charger with every new car.
When Your Car Doesn’t Start
If your vehicle fails to start after a cold night, there are several causes of malfunction:
The battery is dead because a load was on.
The battery is discharged because it can no longer store sufficient energy due to its capacity which has decreased with age.
The battery poles are corroded and the battery has not been sufficiently charged.
The alternator, the regulator or a connection is damaged, the battery has not been charged properly.
One of the most common causes of a completely empty car battery is forgotten car lights.
Anyone who forgets to switch off the power-intensive headlights in the evening will get a nasty surprise the next day.
An empty battery is also inevitable if the alternator is defective because the battery cannot be recharged while driving.
As a result, the battery charges will be drained without replacing the used energy.
The situation is similar with a defective alternator regulator, which regulates the current and voltage supplied to the battery during charging.
A permanently too high charging current leads to overcharging and damages the battery, while a too low charging current only partially charge the battery and can even result in a discharged battery.
Your Car Battery Loses Charges Quickly
The way the car is used affects the battery charge level.
For example, the alternator is unable to recharge the empty car battery during short journeys because more energy is consumed than replaced.
A control unit that is not switched off draws unnecessary power when the car is parked, which can lead to a complete deep discharge of the battery.
Such a deep discharge can even be caused by the car not being used for a long period.
Car is Not Starting Despite Using Starting Aid
If the car does not start despite the energy supply, check the contacts of the jump leads and the poles of the discharged battery and clean them if in doubt.
Another option is to push the car. Here, when the vehicle is rolling in second gear with the ignition switched on, the clutch should be released slowly.
Car is Working But May Not Restart if Stopped
When the engine is running, the discharged battery needs a few kilometers of driving to be recharged.
The next time the car tries to start, you can get to know whether the problem has been solved it still exists.
If the starter battery still refuses to work after that, you should consult a car mechanic.
If you’re in the US, you don’t need to start looking for an expert car mechanic, Repairsmith will come to your rescue.
When you notice the signs that are previously mentioned, simply check Repairsmith online and book an appointment.
Their car technicians will come to your house with their kits to diagnose your car problem.
It may not even necessary you stay at home, you only need to give them access to your car.
They will diagnose the car, report the health of your car battery, and offer you the right advice to follow.
How to Avoid a Dead Battery
When it gets to a point, a car will start developing one problem and the other.
It does not matter whether you bought it brand new from a car dealer or a owner.
However, to save yourself from the embarrassing sudden dead battery, you need to do a general checkup of your car from time to time.
A regular car battery check as part of the inspection, and changing the battery in time can help a lot to protect you from unexpected battery failure.
Repairsmith has made car maintenance check easier for Americans in recent times since they offer home service.
They also upfront pricing, online booking, and give support in the form of SMS and phone call.
