9 Signs You Need a New Car Battery & Why the Battery is Low

The car battery is a vital part of your vehicle’s performance and safety.

It’s responsible for far more than simply starting the engine. The battery also powers most of the vehicle’s electrical systems, including the lights, dashboard displays, central locking and information / entertainment system.

Most petrol and diesel vehicles use a 12V starter battery (rather than the high-voltage batteries that feature in electric vehicles). As with any vehicle component, a battery will eventually reach the end of its lifespan.

Thankfully, a battery will usually show warning signs, before it fails and completely stops working.

By keeping an eye out for these indicators and spotting them early, you can buy yourself enough time to get your battery checked, and avoid an unexpected breakdown.

Where is the car battery?

In most petrol and diesel vehicles, the 12V battery is located under the car’s bonnet. (However, it may also be found in the boot or underneath one of the seats, depending on the vehicle make and model).

If you’re planning to inspect your car battery yourself, proceed with care:

– Don’t attempt to inspect the battery when the car engine is running
– Never create sparks near the battery
– Keep an eye out for any obvious signs of damage or leaking. If you do identify these signs, don’t proceed any further
– If you’re in any way unsure about conducting these checks, you should instead arrange to have the battery inspected by a professional.

9 warning signs of a failing car battery

There are many reasons why your car battery could be low, but these are the most common we come across with our customers.

1. Slow engine cranking

One of the earliest signs of a weakening battery is the car taking longer than usual to start.

Instead of starting immediately, you may notice the engine turns over more slowly, before the car eventually starts.

This usually indicates that the battery is no longer supplying enough power to the starter motor. So if this starts happening regularly, you should arrange to have the battery tested.

2. Dim or flickering lights

A weak battery can impact your vehicle’s lighting (either the headlights, interior lights, or both).

You may notice that the headlights appear dimmer than usual, or that the interior lights briefly flicker when you start the engine.

This is happening because the battery is struggling to supply enough power to the lights at the same time as operating the starter motor.

There can be other causes to this issue, so keep an eye on it. Then, if you notice the issue becoming more frequent, you should have the battery checked.

3. Electrical glitches

In modern cars, there are numerous electrical systems present. These can all be in use at any given time.

So if your car’s battery is weakening, you can see unexpected issues occurring in other parts of the car, as a result.

Common examples include:

– Electric windows operating more slowly
– Dashboard displays behaving unusually
– Air conditioning being slow or unreliable
– Information / entertainment systems resetting, or the screens being unresponsive
– Electrical features becoming unreliable or erratic

These symptoms aren’t always caused by a problem with the battery. But, if you see such issues across more than one of these electrical elements, you should get the battery inspected, as part of your checks.

4. Battery warning light

If the battery warning light appears on your dashboard, this is a key indicator of an issue.

It may be informing you that the battery itself is failing, or that there is a fault present with the charging system.

Either way, if this light is present, it’s important that you arrange for a professional to inspect your vehicle, so that the root cause can be identified.

5. Clicking sound when starting the car

If you hear a rapid clicking sound when turning your key or pressing the start button, this is usually an indicator that the car battery doesn’t have enough power to turn the starter motor.

While a jump-start may get the vehicle running again, you should still immediately arrange to have the battery tested, to find out why it was discharged.

6. Corroded battery terminals

Over time, corrosion can develop around the battery’s terminals. This usually looks like a blue‑green powder or crust, forming around the terminals of the battery.

When it does occur, this can interfere with the battery’s electrical connection. As a result, this makes it more difficult for the battery to charge and supply power properly.

In some cases, cleaning the terminals can restore an efficient connection. But, keep an eye on how the battery is performing after, to make sure there aren’t any other issues present. If you have any doubts or reservations, then please get in touch.

7. Swollen or damaged battery case

A car battery should not lose its original shape. So, if the battery casing swells, cracks or otherwise distorts, then the battery will need to be replaced urgently.

This might have been caused by extreme temperatures, or due to an internal fault.

8. A sulphur or rotten egg smell

A strong sulphur smell (which is similar to rotten eggs), can indicate that the battery is leaking or that it has been overcharged.

This smell is being caused by gases being released from inside the battery, due to leaking battery acid.

If you notice this smell coming from your vehicle, you should stop driving when it is safe to do so. Then, arrange for the battery to be inspected as soon as possible.

9. Frequent jump-starts

If your car frequently needs to be jump-started, this usually indicates that the battery no longer holds enough charge to start the engine successfully.

A jump-start can’t solve the underlying problem, and a battery test will be needed, to confirm whether the battery needs recharging or if it has reached the end of its lifespan.

Common causes of car battery issues

Even the best batteries will eventually reach the end of their predicted lifespan.

But, there are several factors that can cause a car battery to lose charge, or mean that issues arise at an accelerated rate.

These include:

– Cold weather – The cold reduces battery efficiency, as low temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery. The cold can also make slow cranking more noticeable.
– Short journeys – Every time you start the car, the battery loses some charge. So, if you frequently take short journeys, the battery might not have enough time to recharge fully.
– Stop‑start traffic – This has a similar effect, as frequent engine restarts drain the battery significantly faster.
– Age – Generally speaking, most 12V car batteries last between 3-5 years. Beyond that point, the battery may reach the end of its predicted lifespan.

Note that, if your car is new, or has been sitting idle for a month or more, but you have difficulty starting your vehicle, you may only need to recharge your battery. You may not necessarily need a new one. Try charging it first, before you consider replacing it.

Arrange a battery inspection

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, you should arrange to have your battery tested as a priority.

At Watling Tyres, our trusted team of specialists can change batteries and provide comprehensive diagnostics. We offer these services across our Kent, Surrey and Sussex branches.

With our help, you can get your vehicle back up and running at peak performance in no time at all.

To arrange a battery inspection for your vehicle at one of branches, don’t hesitate to get in touch.