For most drivers out there, the number one nightmare is being unable to start your car on the road while in the middle of a road trip, far away from the city.

That dreadful feeling of turning the key in the ignition or pressing the start button and your car won't start? This is often the consequence of ignoring your car battery's maintenance and not performing the necessary checkups to ensure your car battery is in good health!

That being said, car battery problems happen very often to many drivers on the road and are actually pretty common! In fact, you'll see automobile battery shops that are often filled with cars that fail because the car batteries have failed!

Admittedly, most of us simply don't check our car batteries as often as we should. Here are some common car battery problems and why they're often replaced well-ahead of the lifespan!

In fact, you should actively look out for these and never hesitate to call your car battery replacement shops, especially around the vicinity of Petaling Jaya, to replace your current car battery with a new one.

1. Your car battery is old

Corrosion, broken internal connections, short circuit. These are the major factors that take a toll on your car’s battery life. Your car battery’s life expectancy should go beyond three years and regular maintenance and checkup should be done regularly after. 

But because of the wear and tear, and the number of years it’s served, your car battery may start to act up as it ages.That’s just part of its natural life cycle. Any time you feel your car’s battery is no longer reliable and efficient enough, take it as a cue that it’s time to change it.

2. There are signs of battery leaks

One of the most common reasons why a car won’t start is the corrosion of its battery terminals. This reduces their conductivity which prevents electric current from reaching the starter.

Leaks are the most common cause of battery corrosion. Periodic cleaning with water and a wire brush is recommended to keep your battery in top shape.

3. You see swelling or bloating or your car battery casing

The most visible sign of a car battery that needs changing is a bloated battery case. This is often caused by overcharging. When this happens, hydrogen gas builds up pressure and heat expands inside the battery causing the plastic case to warp.

Any battery that looks visibly unwell must be replaced. Be sure to take it to an automobile battery shop for your own safety and to prevent any damage to your vehicle.

4. You're seeing low battery fluid levels

How can you tell when your car battery fluid levels are low? Well, today's car batteries' fluid levels can be monitored through the small vent holes with removable covers on top.

Inside you’ll find a series of lead plates submerged in the electrolyte solution inside the car battery. Once the fluid level in one or more battery cells falls below the top of the lead plates, it means that the battery already has low fluid levels.

Water normally depletes as the power is consumed by the engine while the sulfuric acid levels are maintained. Filling it up with water when the electrolyte levels run low helps keep your battery in good condition. 

5. Your car experiences a slow engine crank

If it takes a few cranks and groans to get your car engine started, your car battery might be the root cause of the issue.

A slow engine crank normally occurs when there’s a defect in the charging system, a problem with the starter, and unsurprisingly all too often, when someone leaves the lights on.

What are the immediate benefits of replacing your car battery with a brand new battery?

• Reduced maintenance needed - with a brand new car battery, you can consider that there are less maintenance procedures needed along with the peace of mind that your car battery will be working fine for at least the next 3 years.

• Enjoy lower and stable discharge rates - newer, well-made batteries are always designed to have a lower discharge rate compared to older batteries. This way, you can avoid the trouble of a dead and discharged battery anytime soon. 

• Experience the battery's longevity - a fully charged battery often leads to longer lifespans and efficient usage of its energy over a longer period of time

Step-by-step guidelines for installing a new car battery

If you're planning to change your new car battery yourself instead of going for car battery replacement services in Petaling Jaya, here's what you need to know about changing your own car battery.

Before you start the battery installation process, make sure your car engine is off, completely cool, and that all car accessories are powered down. You should also fully engage the parking brake as a safety measure.

1. Pop the hood and find your battery. This is the perfect time to consult your owner’s manual. It will tell you where to find the battery and if there’s other important information to know about your specific make/model.
2. Loosen the nut with a combination wrench, battery pliers, or a battery wrench.
3. Disconnect the negative (or ground) black cable first, then the positive (red) cable. Note their positions, and make sure the battery terminals don’t touch any metal mounting, body parts, or the engine.
4. Remove the battery hold-downs, bars, or fasteners with a socket and ratchet or a wrench.
5. Lift the battery out from the bottom using both hands (it’s heavy!) or using the handle if it has one.
6. Clean the battery cables if they are corroded. If they are damaged, be sure to replace them before installing the new battery.
7. To remove the corrosion, mix a battery-cleaning solution using two tablespoons of baking soda and two tablespoons of water. Then, apply the solution to the battery terminals and let it sit (or fizzle) for a few minutes before wiping it off with an old toothbrush or wire brush.
8. Insert the new battery in the hold-down tray, and secure the battery with its appropriate fasteners.
9. Replace and tighten the clamps on their posts—connect the positive (red) cable first, then the negative (black) one. This will help you avoid sparks.
10. Shift the battery back and forth in its tray to make sure it is secure. The terminals should be completely stationary.

Rain or shine, day or night, Ex Power delivers car batteries or repair services to your doorstep

Facing car battery issues? With Ex Power's all-day roadside assistance, you'll have immediate car battery repair and replacement services exactly when and where you need them! Our services come with:

✓ Free installation

✓ Free checking

✓ Free delivery

Check us out at https://www.expower.com.my/ or call us now at +6010 888 9166