If your battery is starting to fail, you may be experiencing issues, such as your vehicle won’t start, move, or power the electrical accessories. You may be wondering just what causes a car battery to go bad? There are various reasons, such as:
- The battery connections and cables may be loose, broken, corroded, or calcified,
- The fluid level in the terminals may be too low,
- An electrical current from an accessory or operating system is drawing power from the battery even when the car is turned off.
- Extremely hot or cold Weather will weaken your battery if it is already starting to die.
- The automatic stop-start technology in newer cars places additional strain on your car battery.
- The powerful computers found in today’s cars are operating continuously, even when the vehicle is turned off, drawing energy from the battery at a slow, steady rate.
- The charging system, which includes the starter and alternator, maybe going bad.
Under normal driving conditions, car batteries can become worn down and inefficient between 3 to 5 years. It may be almost completely unreliable once it reaches the 4-year mark. A weak battery can have a negative effect on all the components of the auto electrical system, such as headlights, power windows, radio, etc. Just like a cell phone battery becomes less efficient with every charge, so it is with your car battery. Every time you drive your car the alternator is recharging the battery, diminishing its effectiveness.
Here are several signs that it may be time for a car battery replacement:
- Your engine cranks but it doesn’t start.
- Clicking sound when you turn the key
- Your vehicle may One day it starts fine, then the next day it won't start at all.
Remember: Add car battery maintenance to your maintenance checklist, along with changing the oil, air filter, tire rotation, and windshield wipers.
Need more information about what causes a car battery to go bad? Consult our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
