United Tire and Service News

Can I Drive With a Dead Car Battery?

1/5/2021 12:38:00 PM | (1947) View Count | Return

Having a dead car battery is an experience that no driver ever wants to have. It's one of the most common reasons for being stranded and usually happens at the

most inconvenient time. For such a relatively small component, the battery plays an important role in your car. Are you wondering: Can I drive with a dead car battery? Knowing the facts can help.

Signs of a Dying Car Battery

Familiarizing yourself with the signs of a dying car battery will help you decide when it's time to replace your car battery. Remember, the engine is completely mechanical, but it still requires an electrical supply. If you begin to experience any of the below signs, it's probably time to replace your car battery or at least have it recharged.

The wiper blades are moving slower than usual.
The headlights are dim.
The power windows are intermittently working or stop altogether.
The engine is slow to turn over.
The battery warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
The sides of the battery are swollen.
The smell of rotten eggs is coming from the battery.

In addition to the above signs, if there is constant acid corrosion on the battery terminals, a battery check is needed. Acid corrosion is a major contributor to preventing an engine from starting. While cleaning the battery terminals is usually sufficient, if the battery continues to lose voltage, not only will the engine not start, it can also cause cell damage. Once cell damage occurs, even one cell, the battery will not hold a charge and needs to be replaced.

Should you keep driving to recharge your car battery if it's dying?

When your car won't start, you get it jump-started. And that is still the way to go. A battery that has a remaining lifespan can be recharged by the alternator after driving for a few hours. As long as the alternator is fully functioning, it will produce sufficient electrical current to restore that battery. However, if you're having to jump-start the battery more than once in a short span of time, that is a clear indicator that it's dying or already dead.

Reasons a car battery may become discharged include:

Leaving the headlights on.
Not closing the car doors completely.
Loose battery cables.
Using interior accessories without the engine running.
The battery is approaching the end of its lifespan.

Battery Testing and Replacement Services

All car batteries are date-coded with the month and year of when it's manufactured, but they don't usually last longer than 5 years. And a dead car battery is not going to be restored no matter how long you drive. The alternator cannot turn a bad battery into a good battery—it's as simple as that. And there is no way of knowing if your battery is on the decline and needs to be replaced until you have a battery test.

The service typically includes the following:

Battery Inspection
Cables and Terminals Inspection
Open-circuit Voltage Load Test
Acid Corrosion Prevention Treatment
Battery Installation

United Tire and Service has a team of technicians at each of our 13 independent locations that are subject matter experts in detecting the root cause for a dead car battery. We provide you the peace of mind that you need to ensure that your car will start when you need it to and never need to ask again: Can I drive with a dead car battery. Call your local United Tire location or schedule an appointment online.

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United Tire and Service News

Can I Drive With a Dead Car Battery?

Signs of a Dying Car Battery

Should you keep driving to recharge your car battery if it's dying?

Battery Testing and Replacement Services

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