United Tire and Service News

If there is one part that can wreak havoc on your day when it goes bad, it's your car battery. It is the most common reason for having a breakdown and can be a major inconvenience. In most situations, a dead battery happens when you least expect it, such as just before leaving for work when you're already running late or as soon as you take a road trip. You probably have questions about your car battery when this happens. Now you can know why it might happen and things to be aware of before it does.  

 

When your battery light is illuminated on the dashboard, the light could be the only warning sign before your battery goes dead. Don't ignore it! There are other warning signs, such as the engine randomly hesitating to start, the headlights incrementally dimming, or some of your electrical accessories stop working from time to time. But car batteries can be hard to predict. Depending on your driving habits, the battery light may be the only indicator. For example, if you don't drive your car that often, or you don't have to regularly commute to and from work, then you could miss those warning signs. And more people are working from home than ever before.

 

A common reason for a weak battery is leaving the headlights on for an extended time without the engine running. Therefore, be sure to check your headlight settings to ensure they always go off when exiting your car. All the above reasons can happen regardless of the age of your battery. The good news is that they can all be quickly fixed. 

 

Typically, the car battery light means that the battery is weak and needs to be charged. But there could be another electrical issue causing the light to come on. While it is relatively safe for you, physically, to drive your car with the light on, it's not safe for ensuring that you get to your destination without a breakdown; nor is it safe for the other components that may be affected by a weak battery, such as the alternator or computerized accessories. The electrical system is a closed-circuit system. When one of the electrical components stops working properly, other costly damages may occur. Driving while the car battery light is on simply isn't a good idea. We also recommend that you keep a set of jumper cables in your car at all times.  

 

The best way to ensure that your battery life is extended is by maintaining a full charge. Although the alternator does this on its own, there are times when a recharge becomes necessary, especially during colder temperatures. If a battery remains discharged for an extended period, dead cells can occur. Once the battery has dead cells, even just one, the battery is no longer useful and must be replaced. Another factor is cleanliness. The battery terminals and cables must be periodically cleaned to prevent acid corrosion build-up. Acid corrosion can prevent the battery from being charged and destroy the life of a battery.

 

Related: How Long Do Car Batteries Last  

 

The most proactive and safe thing that you can do to ensure that you don't have a weak or defective battery is to have a random battery check. Generally, it should be done every six months, unless you're experiencing any of the warning signs discussed above. 

 

If your battery is nearing the end of its life or is experiencing any of the issues above, we encourage you to reach out to us and schedule an appointment! Call your local United Tire or schedule an appointment online by using our service scheduler.