Three Quick Tips to Help First-Time Car Owners Avoid Sudden Car Battery Failure

At least every car owner can attest that sudden battery failures are a nasty experience, especially if you are left stranded in the middle of nowhere with no phone reception to call for roadside assistance. The experience may leave you distressed, more so, if no one stops to help you jump-start your car. If you want to avoid this nightmare that often comes without any warning, you will need to take care of your car battery or replace it before it becomes a liability. Here are some tricks to avoid this dreadful situation.

Watch out for Warning Signs – It may seem that battery failure occurs unexpectedly, but that is not necessarily true in most instances unless you drained the battery overnight unknowingly. Your car will always give you some warning signs that the battery will die sooner rather than later. For example, when the engine is running and you turn on the headlights, a normal battery should give you a bright light. When the lights are dim or flickering when you rev the engine, then that should tell you that the car battery might be dying. Furthermore, when turning on the ignition, the engine should come to full power almost immediately. However, when you hear that slow cranking sound, then your battery might be in trouble.      

The Age of Your Car Battery Matters – Motoring experts recommend that a 12-volt battery should last you at least four years. When you purchase a new car, determining the age of its battery is pretty easy because the battery is usually as new as the car itself. You should also remember to record the date when you bought the new battery to replace the old one. However, if you purchased a pre-owned car, the trick to knowing the age of the battery is to pop open the bonnet and locate the battery. Then wipe clean the plastic strip or circular sticker on the side of the battery to reveal the date code. A code such as A9, for example, indicates that the battery was manufactured in January 2009.

Test and Replace the Battery – Many mobile car services and car part retailers will conduct a battery test free of charge. Testing the battery should give you a clue on whether it needs immediate replacement.  If the battery fails the test, then it is high time you replaced it with a new one. If you prefer longevity and durability, car experts recommend a five-year warranty car battery. However, you may have to pay extra money for this type, but it will be worth every penny in the long run.