Cars are complex machines with a huge amount of pieces and parts. When your prized Mazda starts acting wonky or won’t start at all, it often seems impossible to know what the root problem
actually is. Sometimes the problem is serious, but many times it’s something simple like a faulty or dying battery. Your battery is a great place to start the diagnosis, and it often gives plenty of fair warning that you need a new car battery.
3 Signs Your Mazda Could Use a New Car Battery
1. Slow Engine Crank
Have you ever gone to start your car just to hear a slow whirring whine from the engine before it finally starts? This usually signals that there is a problem with the ignition process, and your battery is the first link in the chain of that process. The battery powers the starter and ignition, and a slow-turning engine may be the result of a battery with insufficient charge to get everything going.
2. Dim or Flickering Lights
If the lights on your dashboard are dim (and you haven’t dimmed them yourself) or are flickering, your battery could be to blame. The battery is responsible for powering your car’s electrical system, so it’s logically one of the first parts you should check. This could also be an issue with your alternator, but it’s more economical to try the battery first!
Likewise, you may also need a new battery if you notice that your headlights are dimmer when you’re at a stop than when you’re moving. Dim headlights while idling is often the result of a low-power battery. However, keep in mind that, much like your internal lights, headlight dimming could also be the result of issues with the alternator.
3. An Ancient or Corroded Battery
If you haven’t replaced your Mazda’s battery in over five years, it’s probably about time. The average lifespan of a battery typically ranges from three to five years, so it’s a good idea to start testing your battery regularly (if you haven’t already) once it turns three. Certainly, at five years it’s good to start thinking about a replacement so your battery doesn’t decide to surprise you by dying when you’re out driving in the middle of nowhere.
You should also think about replacing your battery if you notice that there are significant accumulations of white or blue powdery particles on the battery, usually around the contacts. This means your battery is corroded. Occasionally, cleaning the contacts helps but this is not so if there’s a significant amount of corrosion visible.
Replacing your battery is ideally something you’ll want to do before it dies. Anyone who has ever been stranded because their car won’t start can tell you that it’s not a pleasant experience. So, make sure that you pay close attention to your vehicle for any potential indications of a dying battery. If you have more questions about batteries or are interested in a sleek, new car altogether, contact Tom Bush Mazda and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
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