This is the worst - the car is packed, everyone is buckled up, and the car won’t start. Or, you’ve scored the interview and are going to leave a little early to make sure you’re on time, but your car won’t start. Being greeted with a dead car battery is a frustrating experience – especially when you have somewhere you need to be. Difficulty starting your car can be all of a sudden or simply because you haven't driven your car for a while.

While a dead battery might mean it’s time for a new one, there are some early indicators you can be on the lookout for to avoid getting stranded. As battery service professionals, Christian Brothers Automotive is here to provide some common failing battery symptoms and potential solutions as well as how often you should replace your car’s battery in the first place.

Symptoms (and Solutions) of a Failing Battery

While a dead battery can be an obvious sign that it's time to consider purchasing a new battery for your vehicle, other signs can be more difficult to identify – especially if you don’t enjoy looking under the hood of your car.

Consider a battery replacement if:

1. There is Battery Corrosion

Finding a fix for your car battery problems starts with looking at the battery itself. Be on the lookout for:

• Blue, green, or white stains
• Crust covering the battery terminals
• Sulfuric odors
• Swollen battery case

Any corrosion or physical damage could indicate big problems inside the battery, including battery acid leakage. This would explain any batteries that have suddenly drained or lost proper connection to your car.

While you can remove battery corrosion using some trusted techniques (and a bit of elbow grease), it may not be the permanent solution you're looking for. A leaking battery will only continue leaking, and you'll need to clean things again before you know it. Instead, a complete replacement is recommended to prevent being unexpectedly stranded.

2. Your Vehicle Doesn't Start

If your car doesn't start, you may be able to find a temporary fix by having a friend jumpstart your car with theirs or even using a portable car jumper battery pack. Even so, it's important to still address the reason why your car didn't start in the first place.

If you experience continual problems with your car's battery, this could mean the battery terminals are loose, broken, or calcified or that your power is being drained by a wire that is touching something it shouldn't. Inspecting areas around the battery terminals and housing to ensure everything is tight may help resolve the issue. Bringing your car into a local auto shop can help you understand the real problem.

3. Your Vehicle is Slow to Start

If you attempt to start your vehicle and the cranking of the engine is extremely slow, this is a sign of a dying battery. Trying to start a car several times before succeeding usually indicates your battery is on its way out. Some other signs of a failing battery that you'll notice from your car include:

Cranking Noises

If you’re experiencing sluggish cranking from your car's engine or having inconsistent starting problems, it likely means that your battery is failing and will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Lights Flickering

Whether it's your interior cabin lights or your exterior headlights, any flickering in lights means a problem with your car's power source. To determine whether it's the battery itself or something else, seek advice from a trusted auto mechanic.

4. Warning Light

When your car's battery light illuminates the dashboard (see image below), it warns that the battery isn't charging properly. More often than not you will still be able to start the car because of the energy already stored inside the battery, but the warning light indicates that it won't be long before more complications occur.

If you notice any type of warning sign illuminated on your dashboard similar to the one above, start by checking your battery cables to ensure they fit firmly and securely on the battery posts.

If everything looks good, check for problems with the battery itself. If you can't locate the specific problem or if the warning light remains, it's time to test the battery as soon as possible, which can easily be done by swinging by your local auto shop.

How Often Should I Replace My Car Battery?

The average car battery has a lifespan of three to six years. Why is the gap so big? Well, for one, every driver drives differently, meaning that some car batteries are used more frequently than others. A second reason is because some drivers more often than others use some of their car’s features without the engine running, like playing music or keeping the overhead lights on, for example. To be safe and prevent being stranded by a failing car battery, it's recommended to have your car's battery replaced every three years.

Time to Replace Your Battery? Check Out Your Local Auto Shop

Now, if your car isn't starting, the warning light is on, or you're experiencing multiple electrical problems, you may wonder – what do I do now?

One of the best and most convenient ways to replace your battery is to visit your local Christian Brothers Automotive. Once your vehicle enters our bay, we'll start with a free battery check followed by a free courtesy inspection. If the battery check reveals a good battery or doesn’t yield enough information, we’ll need to perform an electrical diagnostic inspection to get down to the reason for your car's starting trouble.

We've been replacing batteries for a long time, so we can get you back on the road worry-free in no time. And, if you need any other vehicle servicing, such as a tune-up, wheel alignment, or oil change, let us know, and we can do that for you as well.

Locate the Christian Brothers Automotive in your neighborhood and call today to schedule your visit!

This blog was written in March 2017 and updated July 2023 to reflect current industry standards and best practices.