Three Signs That Your Battery Is Struggling

Winter weather is here for a few more months and, if you are unprepared for the cold temperatures that come with the season, you might one day find yourself stranded along the side of the road. Of all the parts making up your car, few are as crucial as your battery. Batteries will generally last a few years but, if you haven’t had your battery checked since the hot temperatures of the summer, you could be in for a rude awakening. Heat can actually cause your battery fluid to evaporate, making your battery struggle more than usual when starting up. Combine that with the fact that car batteries lose 35% of their strength at 32° F and 60% of their strength below 0° F, and you could be in serious trouble. Luckily, you can easily get your battery tested at any of the 43 local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers. Here are three of the main signs that your battery might be struggling.

Dim Headlights

A sure sign your battery is starting to lose its strength is if you notice a significant difference in headlight strength. You can easily test your headlights strength by doing a few quick tests. We don’t expect you to remember the exact strength of your brand new headlights, so don’t worry about comparing the strength of your headlights to their original state as brand new bulbs. One simple test is to take your car out for a quick nighttime test drive to check just how clearly you can see the road. You should be able to clearly see the road immediately in front of your car and a good distance past that with your high beams. If it is becoming difficult to see the road, it is probably time to change out your battery.

Clicking Sound When You Start Up Your Vehicle

Clicking sounds when you start up your vehicle is a sure sign that something is not quite working up to its full capacity under the hood. Everything from a faulty starter to an old and tired battery can cause this noise, so it may not just be your battery’s fault. If you are hearing noises that you are unfamiliar with when you start your vehicle, it is always a good idea to get it checked out before this inconvenience becomes a real problem.

Backfiring

Quite possibly the loudest and most noticeable sign your battery is losing is strength is a backfiring engine. A failing battery will oftentimes send intermittent sparks, causing fuel to accumulate in the cylinder and combust with substantially more force than usual. If your vehicle’s backfiring, you need to take care of the issue immediately, as reoccurring backfires can cause serious damage to the engine.

If you haven’t had your battery checked this year, or have noticed any of these symptoms in your car, light truck, van or SUV, come into any of the 43 local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today! Our expert staff of experienced and certified service technicians will smartly diagnose any issues, and get you and your vehicle back out on the road in no time at all!