Car Battery Health: Caring for and Protecting your Car Battery
Keeping your car battery healthy
A healthy car battery supplies power to start the engine, making it one of the most essential elements of a smooth, reliable driving experience. But because it’s hidden away and quiet when working well, it can be easy to overlook your car battery – until it lets you down.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how your car battery works, what typically causes issues, the warning signs to watch for, and how to keep it running smoothly. Plus, discover how Vixa helps monitor your battery health.
Why is your car battery so important?
Your car’s battery plays an essential role: starting the engine – or in technical terms, cranking. Without enough power, your engine won’t even crank.
Common causes of battery trouble
Car batteries don’t usually stop working without underlying causes. Being aware of what can harm battery life means you can take simple steps to help avoid battery failure.
The most common causes include:
Short journeys that don’t give the alternator enough time to recharge the battery. This affects the state of charge, which affects the state of health.
Extreme temperatures – both hot and cold – which can reduce battery efficiency.
Old age – most batteries last 3-5 years.
Manufacturing defects – though rare, faulty batteries can be an issue.
Leaving lights or electrics on, which can drain the battery overnight. This also affects the state of charge, which in turn can have an impact on battery health.
Signs your car battery is failing
Car not behaving as it should? These could be signs your battery is on its way out:
Engine cranks slowly or struggles to start.
Dim headlights or flickering dashboard lights.
Frequent flat battery, even after charging.
However, these symptoms can also point to other issues – so before replacing your battery, it’s best to rule out other possible causes.
How to check your car battery health
Worried your battery’s not at its best? Here’s how to check its performance:
Look for physical signs: Swollen casing, leaking fluid or corrosion around the battery terminals are obvious visual warning signs that something's not right.
Check the Vixa app: Instead of popping the bonnet, check out our AI-powered diagnostics in the Vixa app. It shows your car’s crank data to assess your battery’s health and flag issues early.
How to extend your car battery’s life
Batteries don’t last forever, but you can make a few small changes to help prolong its life:
Drive regularly and for longer distances to allow your alternator to properly recharge the battery, especially in cold weather, when the battery works harder.
Use the Vixa app to stay ahead of issues – we’ll let you know if your battery has issues and might need to be replaced.
What to do if you think your car battery isn’t healthy
If you spot any of the signs of an unhealthy battery, here are a few things you can do:
Act quickly if you notice slow cranking or warning lights.
Use the Vixa app to check on battery health from your phone.
Book a check-up in the Vixa app with one of our trusted AA approved garages, or get a Mobile Mechanic to come to you.
Don’t rush to replace your battery – it might just need charging.
Keep jump leads or a portable charger in your car as a backup. Your car manual can help with jump-starting and charging instructions.
Managing your car battery health with Vixa
Vixa takes the guesswork out of car care – including looking after your battery:
Daily health tracking and smart alerts to help keep you in the know.
AI-powered diagnostics using crank pattern data to detect early signs of trouble.
Predictive insights that flag issues before they turn into potential breakdowns.
Fast, seamless bookings with Mobile Mechanics who can come to you if you need help or a replacement battery.
Head to Vixa to learn more.