What are the symptoms of a car battery losing power?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a car battery losing power are: 1. The color of the observation hole on the battery changes; 2. Severe power attenuation when starting continuously; 3. Reduced storage capacity, with the starting voltage often below 10.8V; 4. The appearance shows bulging; 5. The car fails to start after being parked for a few days; 6. Increased fuel consumption, especially noticeable when driving with the air conditioning on in summer, making the car feel heavier and fuel consumption more pronounced; 7. The lights become dimmer than before; 8. The sound of the horn becomes distorted. Causes of car battery power loss: 1. After the car is turned off, the engine stops running, but electrical equipment or external power devices are still used for a long time; 2. Forgetting to turn off electrical equipment after the car is turned off, including headlights, air conditioning, and audio systems.
I've been driving for many years and have encountered a dead battery several times. The most obvious sign is when starting the car—the engine cranks very slowly and weakly, sometimes requiring multiple turns of the key to ignite. Last winter morning, my dead battery caused the lights to become extremely dim—the headlights looked like small candles, and the dashboard lights flickered, warning of low voltage. Driving at night was especially dangerous, as visibility was greatly affected. The horn also became weaker, sounding feeble, as if it hadn't "eaten enough." Electronic devices like power windows moved sluggishly, and the AC buttons took forever to respond. Common causes include leaving lights on or long-term parking, with winter exacerbating the issue. I recommend regularly driving on the highway to let the alternator recharge the battery and keeping jumper cables handy for emergencies. Recognizing these signs early can help avoid trouble. You can also use a phone app to check battery health and reduce surprises.
