3 Nissan Qashqai Battery Warning Signs

The Nissan Qashqai comes equipped with a wide selection of high quality kit, and that includes the humble car battery. However, like any component, a car battery can and will eventually fail, and it will need replacement. A car battery is a critical part; it’s used to start the car and supply power to the onboard electrical systems. In recent years we have started to see an increasing amount of electrical equipment fitted to cars, and this does place extra strain of the battery. If you don’t want to get stranded at the side of the road with a flat battery, here are three car battery warning signs to look out for.

1. The Silence of a Flat Battery

Your car battery can flat for a wide variety of reasons, such as faulty components, gradual aging, fuel system problems, an alternator failure, electrical drainage, and faulty connections. Some of these issues are temporary, one off problems that will be solved with a simple recharge and/or some minor maintenance. Others could be indicative of a full car battery failure and indicate that you need to source a new battery. That lack of sound or the grinding when trying to start a car with a flat battery is a clear indication that there is a problem to solve.

2. Concerning Jumps Starts

If you do have a flat car battery and you’re stranded at the side of the road, you could always get a jumpstart from a friendly fellow motorist. For this reason, it’s always a great idea to keep a set of jumper cables in your car for your own use and to help out other stranded drivers. However, if you notice that you seem to be jump starting the car a lot, it’s a sure sign that there is something wrong. There could be a problem with the alternator, and it isn’t charging the battery up as you drive. Or the car battery itself could be at fault, and it’s often easier simply to buy a new battery.

3. Examining a Car Battery

It’s a good idea to lift up the bonnet at least once a month and check your car fluid levels to make sure they are at a decent level. While you’re doing this, it’s a great time to take a close look at your car battery to check that it’s fine to use. Examining a car battery is pretty simple, look for any obvious cracks in the casing or any leaks around the battery housing. If the car battery case has swollen up this could indicate that heat damage has occurred and the battery should be replaced immediately. Sometimes you can detect a sulphurous "rotten egg" type smell emanating from a car battery, and this is also a sign that it’s starting to fail. Finally, look for any wisps of smoke, this is a no brainer, and the battery should be carefully removed and disposed of correctly.

If you’re in the market for a Nissan Qashqai 2018 model, get in touch with us at Perth City Nissan, and we will be happy to arrange a no obligation test drive for you.