How To Tell if Your Car Battery Is Dying

Keeping an eye on your car's battery is important so that it doesn't die at an inopportune time. To avoid becoming stranded or missing an important event, look for signs of a failing Nissan Sentra battery early. Here are eight ways to tell if your battery is on the way out. 

Clicking When Turning Key

When you turn your key in the ignition, a healthy battery will start the engine right away with a revving sound. If you hear a series of clicks before the engine starts, that means your battery is having a hard time doing its job. Time to check for a low charge or more signs of a failing battery. 

Sluggish Engine Crank

If you don't hear clicking, but your engine is slow to get going, this can also mean battery issues. Check out your starter as well.

Dim Headlights

If your headlights don't seem to be giving the amount of light they used to, that probably means they aren't getting enough power from the battery. Dim headlights are a safety hazard, so be sure to check periodically that your lights are as bright as usual. 

Electrical Systems Having Trouble

Many systems in your car other than the engine depend on a healthy car battery. If any of these systems start to slow down or seem less powerful, your battery may be to blame:

• Heated seats
• Power windows
• Windshield wipers
• Radio
• Dashboard lights
• Power seats

Corrosion on Battery Connectors

If you've seen any of these warnings, it's time to open up the hood and take a look at your battery. One of the telltale signs that your battery is in poor shape is corrosion around the connector ports. 

This won't look like rust. Instead, it'll look like a strange white, blue or green chalk building up around the battery connectors.

Corrosion means that sulfuric gas or the acid from your battery is leaking out through these terminals and damaging them. Cleaning this corrosion off with a toothbrush may help prolong the life of your battery, but be sure to dry the connections well to avoid a short circuit. 

Sulfur Smell From Leaking Battery Acid

If you smell rotten eggs when you open the hood of your car, it's likely not gasoline, but a leaking battery. This is a serious issue that means your 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic battery should be replaced. 

Misshapen Battery Case

Your battery case should be a neat rectangle. If you see any bulging or cracking, something has gone seriously wrong inside your battery. Plan on getting a new one as soon as possible. 

More Than Three Years Old

Batteries rarely last more than four or five years. Keep track of when you replace your battery and keep a close eye on its performance if it's been in your car for a long time. 

It's always wise to pay attention to small changes in your car's performance. Looking out for early signs of a dying Mazda 323 battery can tell you if it's time for a replacement.