How Car Batteries Work

A car battery is one of the most important parts of a car. It helps start the engine and powers all of the electrical components in the car. Most car batteries are lead-acid batteries. They have six cells that produce 2 volts each for a total of 12 volts. The cells are filled with a sulfuric acid solution and have lead plates submerged in them.

When the battery is producing electricity, the lead plates turn into lead sulfate. When the battery is being charged, the lead sulfate turns back into lead. The sulfuric acid is used to create an electrical current between the lead plates. The more charge that flows through the battery, the greater the chemical reaction, and the greater the chance that some of the sulfuric acid will be lost as water vapor.

That’s why it’s important to keep your car battery clean and filled with distilled water. Over time, the water will evaporate and need to be replaced. If you don’t keep your car battery clean, it will eventually stop working entirely.

How to tell if your car battery is dying:

There are a few telltale signs that your car battery is on its last legs. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to replace your battery:

• The engine is slow to start or completely refuses to start
• The headlights are dim or flickering
• The electrical accessories in the car (radio, power seats, etc.) are moving slowly or not working at all
• The “check engine” light is on
• You hear a clicking noise when you turn on the ignition

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic so they can test your battery and give you a professional opinion on whether or not it needs to be replaced.

A car battery is a fundamental part of a car and without it, the car simply won’t work. Most batteries are lead-acid batteries which have six cells that produce 2 volts each for a total of 12 volts. The cells contain sulfuric acid and lead plates which create an electrical current between them. It’s important to keep your battery clean because over time water will evaporate and need to be replaced. If you don’t keep your battery clean, it will eventually stop working entirely. There are a few telltale signs that your battery is dying which include: an engine that is slow to start or doesn’t start at all, dim or flickering headlights, slowly moving or non-working electrical accessories, and hearing a clicking noise when you turn on the ignition. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to bring your car to us so we can test your battery and give you a professional opinion on whether or not it needs to be replaced.