Signs You Need a New Car Battery

Once you know the signs your car battery is dying, you can act right away. Read below and keep these in mind.

• Battery warning light appears
• Clicking sound when you turn on the engine
• Dim or flickering lights
• Fluid leakage or corrosion around battery
• Cracked or swollen battery

You may notice some of these signs when you get into your car. You may experience the first three while the last two may not be detected unless you bring your car in for service. During a service appointment, the service technician may observe these symptoms and let you know.

You may discover many reasons why your battery loses power. Some may be prevented so that your battery will last longer. Make a mental note of them, so that you can avoid them or, at least, be aware of them.

Batteries lose power through these different practices. They include:

• Leaving your car in the cold or the heat
• Not driving your car for a while
• Driving your car on rougher roads
• Using your car devices when parked

Weather extremes can adversely affect the battery. Many people claim that the heat may impact the battery. While it does to a point, it’s not as detrimental as the extreme cold. It’s best to keep your vehicle in a climate-controlled garage, if possible, or at least to park it under a tree or a shady area during warmer weather.

If you go away for the winter to Florida, or if you have a spare car that you don’t use as much, your car battery may lose power. Schedule battery testing or entrust your vehicle to a neighbor, friend, or family member who can exercise the car.

Do you use your Lincoln Navigator or Lincoln Aviator to go off-roading? That type of action can put excess pressure on the battery, making your car work harder to traverse uneven or rocky terrain.

Turning on the radio or the air conditioner in auxiliary mode can keep you entertained and comfortable, but they do wear down the battery. Use your smartphone for music and keep the windows open so that you can preserve your battery.