Your car’s battery provides the spark of life necessary to get your vehicle up and moving. Without it, your car is not going anywhere. Therefore, it is paramount to know how to tell if your car battery is dead. You can enjoy free delivery on auto parts, including batteries, if need be. However, you first need to know whether the battery is totally dead or on its way out.
Nothing Happens When You Turn the Ignition Key
You should be familiar with the sound your car makes when you crank the ignition. Unfortunately, when a dead battery is present, you will not feel or hear anything. This could also be a result of having a faulty fusible link, ignition switch or starter. This is why it is paramount to understand the other signs of a dead battery. When multiple symptoms are present, the culprit is more than likely a dead battery.
The Radio and Headlights Will Not Turn On
You may have a problem with your car starting, but you also need to pay attention to all of the other components. Turning your key once, which will not necessarily turn on the ignition, should turn on everything else. If your radio and headlights remain dead, then you have a problem. While a corroded battery connection or a blown main fuse could also be to blame, you also want to inspect the battery.
You Have To Jumpstart It Constantly
Sooner or later, practically everyone will need to jumpstart their car. You may be stuck in a parking lot and have to borrow someone else’s jumper cables to get the job done. However, if you constantly have to use someone’s jumper cables to start your car, then your battery is on its last legs. The general rule of thumb is that if you have to jump your car more than three times weekly, it is time for a battery replacement.
The Battery Starts in the Afternoon But Not in the Morning
You also need to be worried if your battery will not start first thing in the morning for you to get to work, but it starts later in the afternoon just fine. This is an indicator there is a parasitic drain on your battery. It drains all of the electricity overnight. You can try to locate the source of the drain although, at this point, your best bet will simply be to get a new battery. This also tends to happen when the temperature outside drops substantially. The cold weather interferes with the battery’s ability to produce a reliable current.
There is no sense in continuing to drive a car with a faulty battery. The last thing you want to happen is your car dying on the side of the road when you are in the middle of nowhere. Ideally, you will replace your battery once every five years from a reputable auto parts shop near you. You can find the perfect battery that works with your make and model of vehicle. Stop worrying about your car and just replace components as they wear out.
