What Are The Symptoms Of A Dead Car Battery?

In order not to find yourself one day out of battery without knowing what to do, you can now learn what are the signs that indicate that your battery will soon need to be changed. We take stock of the symptoms of a HS battery in this article!

What are the symptoms of a dead car battery?

The battery allows you to start your car’s engine and power all its electrical equipment. If you have difficulty starting or nothing happens when you turn your ignition key, the problem may be with your battery. Here are the main symptoms of a broken battery:

• The battery light is on: no doubt, there is a problem!
• Your equipment (windshield wipers, windows, screens) works poorly or not at all: it may be a problem with the battery which does not deliver enough electrical power.
• Your headlights shine less or turn off completely: the current delivered by the battery is too insufficient to power them.
• Your horn does not go off or is very weak: same observation.
• A bad smell emanates from the hood: this may be a sign of the release of sulfuric acid caused by the end of the life of your battery.

Good to know: Be careful, the problem does not necessarily come from your battery. These symptoms can also be a sign of an alternator or starter failure!

How do you know if your car battery is broken?

Before changing your battery, remember to check that it is completely irrecoverable. In many cases, you can save it! Here are 2 ways to check if you need to change your battery:

Check the voltage with a multimeter

• Is the voltage below 10 V? battery change is inevitable.
• The voltage is 11 to 12.6 V? Phew! You can still save the battery by recharging it.

How to test a car battery without a multimeter?

You don’t have a multimeter at hand but you want to test your battery to see if it is defective? Here we explain some techniques to achieve this!

Necessary material :

• Jumper cables;
• An acid weighs.

Step 1: Use jumper cables

Try starting by connecting cables between your battery and that of a friend, colleague, or neighbor. Is your car still not starting? Your battery is most likely broken. If your car starts, bingo! But don’t get excited too quickly. If thebattery is at the end of its life, it may fail you again! Use our comparator to find an inexpensive garage to replace your battery.

Step 2: Check your battery caps

To access the caps on your battery you will have to unclog it using a screwdriver. If you then notice that the plugs have their usual color, it means that your battery does not need to be changed and that it is probably discharged. Conversely, if you observe an unusual color, you will probably need to go to a mechanic to carry out more in-depth tests and change your battery if necessary!

Step 3: Use an acid scale

This technique is only possible if you have the necessary equipment. Using an acid scale you will be able to check if the level of acid contained in your battery is that recommended . Simply insert the pipette of your acid scale into the battery caps and collect some liquid. A float gives you the acid level of your battery. If your battery is functional then the rate should be between 1.27 and 1.30. If this is not the case then you will need to go to a mechanic to have your battery checked.

How to maintain your battery?

Proper maintenance of your battery is essential to make it last over time. Here are some simple steps to take to maintain it:

• Check the condition of your battery regularly: you can do this using a multimeter, this should be done more often in winter. If your battery voltage drops below 12.6 volts, get a charger battery to raise it to 13 volts ;
• Disconnect your battery when not using the vehicle: if you do not start your car for several weeks, you must disconnect the battery and store it in a dry and cool place;
• Park your car in a comfortable place: it must not be subject to cold, humidity or strong heat waves;
• Avoid successive starts: starting the engine several times in succession will tire your battery.

How much does it cost to change the battery?

There is no doubt: your battery is dead and you need to replace it. Allow on average €200 for changing the battery. Here are some examples of the best-selling vehicles in France:

Good to know: prices vary enormously depending on your vehicle, the type of battery and the garage. Thanks to our price comparison tool, you can find out the exact cost of changing the battery for your car in garages near you.

As you will have understood, a battery that is about to fail always gives warning signs. However, it is generally possible to extend its lifespan by several years using a few simple tips, and to postpone this costly operation!