We often hear people call the car’s engine its heart and the ECU its brain but these components are useless without a working battery acting as the backbone of the entire system.
Once the battery fails, all the other systems come to a halt and your car essentially becomes unusable.
That’s something you would like to avoid. So, to prevent any of this from happening and to keep your car running perfectly at all times, here are six tell-tale signs you need a new car battery.
Dashboard Warning Light
Every car has a dashboard battery indicator, which lights up whenever there is something wrong with the battery.
You should never ignore this warning light and inspect the battery immediately; as it could either be charging improperly, the connectors could be loose, or the battery could be nearing the end of its life.
This light rarely comes on, but if and when it does you should take immediate action.
Difficulty Starting Your Car
One of the most recognizable signs that your car needs a new battery is when you have difficulty starting the engine.
If it takes you more than a few tries to start your vehicle, then it could possibly mean that the battery is nearing the end of its life.
You should immediately get it inspected to avoid any inconvenience.
Dimming of Lights
When you are driving at night, you should take notice of the headlights.
If they are dim and not as bright as before, it means that your car probably needs a new battery.
Yes, it could also mean you need new headlight bulbs.
So, to be sure, head over to the nearest workshop to get your car’s battery and headlights inspected.
Rancid Smell from the Battery
When you open your vehicle’s bonnet and you sense a foul smell, similar to that of rotten eggs, coming from the battery, there is something seriously wrong.
This rancid smell means your battery is leaking from somewhere and it must be changed immediately.
Swollen Battery Case
If, on inspection, your car’s battery case looks swollen, it means that the battery is very near to failure.
This is caused by overcharging or due to overheating of the battery and it’s not safe to drive around with a battery in such a condition.
So, whenever you spot the slightest change in the battery’s case, head over to the nearest workshop to get a new battery.
Changing of the Car’s Battery Health Indicator
Every battery has a health indicator on top of it which shows its current health status.
Usually, if you see the colour green or blue on the indicator it means the battery is fully charged and in perfect condition.
On the other hand, if the colour is black or red, your battery needs a service and a full charge. However, if you see white, the battery is dead and it needs to be changed.
Note: Battery company use their own colours to show the health status of their battery. So, it’s better to refer to the key printed beside the battery health indicator for accurate information.
Buy New Battery or Used?
You’ve looked at the signs and have come to the conclusion that your car needs a fresh battery.
But should you buy a new one and pay more money or buy a used battery to save up on some dollars?
This question is very commonly asked and the answer is pretty straightforward: Getting a new battery is the ideal option.
However, if you are looking for car batteries at a discounted price, you can buy them used. You would just have to keep in mind a few things such as the battery’s condition, its remaining life and whether the place you are buying it form is credible. If all the conditions are met, there is no harm in buying a used battery.
Buying New Battery Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
| Longer lasting | Can hurt the wallet |
| Better car starts up | May have manufacturing issues but usually covered by warranties |
| Improved vehicle performance |
Buying Old Battery Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
| Cheaper alternative | Shorter lifespan due to issues |
| Already tested | Limited used item warranties |
| Seller used item warranties | |
| Good chance of getting something almost as new at much lower price |
Best Place to Buy Used Car Batteries
Although buying a new car battery is the most preferred option, sometimes you can land upon an old battery that is hardly used by the previous owner.
In such an instance, you can enjoy the full benefits of the battery by paying less. However, this is only possible if you buy used car batteries from a trusted place and car wreckers in NZ are the best place to go.
Car wreckers receive hundreds of vehicles every week to dismantle and many of these cars reap very good quality original car parts.
Most of the times they are new cars that are not even fully damaged but written-off by authorities. For example, a vehicle that gets rear-ended, its parts from the front are completely original and usable and they are available at an affordable price at wreckers.
The best part is that you can call a wrecker, ask for the particular part, and have it delivered at your doorstep. It’s not always possible to get this kind of service when you buy a new battery.
How Often Should You Change Your Car’s Battery?
The average car battery lasts between 3 to 5 years, depending on usage.
So, once the third year starts, you should begin looking for signs of failure mentioned above. If you notice any, you should immediately take your car for a checkup and change your car’s battery.
Also keep in mind that dry batteries generally last longer than lead-acid batteries. You don’t have to maintain them and they don’t malfunction if you forget to inspect them.
