You may ask yourself, perhaps even searching for “What Happens If Car Battery Is Low On Water?”, haven’t you? Well, search no more. We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive article that explores this very question and delves deep into the realm of car batteries and their maintenance.
So, what can you expect if your car battery is low on water? In essence, an insufficient water level in a car battery can lead to reduced battery performance, damage to the battery cells, or even complete battery failure in severe cases. It’s a situation that calls for immediate attention and action to prevent costly consequences.
Reading this article will help you understand why maintaining the appropriate water level in your car battery is crucial. You’ll discover the potential effects of low water levels and practical steps on how to fix the issue and prolong your battery’s life. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Table of Contents
Why Do Car Batteries Lose Water?
Before you dive into the details of what happens when a car battery is low on water, you must first understand why those water levels drop in the first place.
For starters, it’s normal for a battery to lose water over an extended period gradually. That’s why you must keep an eye on those levels and refill the battery correctly when its levels start to get too low.
The reason that happens is due to the chemical reactions inside the battery. Plenty of chemical reactions are happening inside the battery to charge, store, and discharge electrical power.
Those processes cause the water to convert to hydrogen and oxygen gasses. As that conversion process continues, your battery will have less water inside.
Your battery losing water that way is normal, and it’s nothing to worry about.
However, there are other problematic ways that the battery can lose water, such as when the battery is experiencing an overcharging condition. Besides that, a crack or leak in the battery casing can also cause water to leak out faster than average.
Generally, checking your battery’s water levels every week is an excellent idea. If the water drops faster than usual, you’ll want to inspect and troubleshoot the battery for problems.
Low battery water
Low battery water is a term used to describe a condition in which the water level in a car’s battery is low. This is a common problem for many car owners and can lead to a variety of issues, including battery corrosion and malfunction.
The most obvious sign of low battery water is a low water level in the battery, which can be easily seen when the battery is opened. The water should be at least two-thirds of the way up the sides of the battery. If the water level is below this, it is a sign that the battery water needs to be replenished.
Another sign of low battery water is corrosion on the battery terminals. The corrosion can range from light green to dark brown and is caused by a reaction between the sulfuric acid and metal in the battery.
Corrosion on the terminals can lead to poor conductivity, which can cause the battery to not charge properly.
If the battery is not charging properly, it can result in a loss of power to the car. This can be noticed by the engine starting to struggle or the car not being able to start at all.
If the car does start, it may not run as efficiently as it should due to a lack of power. This can cause the car to stall or jerk when accelerating or slowing down.
Low battery water can be remedied by topping up the level with distilled water. This should be done as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the battery and to keep the car running properly.
Signs that your battery is low on water
1. Diminished or no electrical output:
One of the most noticeable signs of low battery water is a reduced or non-existent electrical output from the battery. If the battery is not producing enough electricity to power the vehicle, this is a tell-tale sign of low battery water.
2. Corrosion:
Another sign of low battery water is corrosion. Corrosion can occur on the battery terminals, posts, and cables and is usually a result of low water levels.
3. Discoloration:
Low battery water can cause the battery to discolor. This can be seen as a white or yellowish crust forming on the top of the battery case.
4. Bulging Battery Case:
If the battery water is too low, the battery case can begin to bulge or swell, which is directly related to the temperature changes inside the battery.
5. Bad Smell:
Low battery water can produce a bad smell from the battery. This is caused by the water evaporating, leaving behind sulfuric acid.
If any of these signs are present, it is important to check the water levels in the battery and replenish as needed. Low battery water can cause severe damage to the battery and can even lead to battery failure.
What Happens If A Car Battery Is Low On Water?
As you read above, checking your battery water levels weekly is essential. Letting your battery run without enough water will cause several problems, which you can also look out for as symptoms.
Here’s what happens when your car battery is low on water:
1. Dashboard Battery Indicator Illuminates Or Blinks
One of the first things you’ll notice when your battery water runs low is the battery indicator on your dashboard’s instrument panel. That indicator may turn on or blink depending on your car brand and model.
Whatever the case is, the indicator will become active when the car senses a problem with the battery. In this case, the battery is low on water and can’t function correctly.
2. Battery Health Indicator Stops Being Green
Aside from the indicator on your instrument panel, batteries also tend to have built-in indicators on the unit itself. Given its location, you’ll have to inspect the battery visually to see what the indicator shows.
Generally, the indicator will look green when the battery is in good health. However, a battery low on water and power will show a different color. You’ll likely see a yellow or red color in that indicator when there’s a problem with the unit.
3. Lead Plates Corrode Faster
Car batteries have lead plates inside them to perform the chemical reactions necessary for charging, storing, and discharging electrical power.
Those plates are constantly submerged in water and electrolyte. As a result, those plates aren’t exposed to air and won’t corrode or rust.
However, suppose your battery’s water levels are continuously low. In that case, you’ll discover the lead plates inside corrode much faster than they should. The corrosion could be severe enough to stop the battery from holding any electrical charge
When the damage reaches that point, you’ll have to replace the battery with a new one. The existing one is too damaged for you to use anymore.
4. Engine Cranks Slowly Or Not At All
As you’ve seen above, low battery water levels will prevent the unit from functioning correctly. That will become most evident when you try to start the car, as that’s when battery power is needed the most.
When you turn the key in the ignition, the battery supplies power to the starter motor to crank your engine. But when the battery isn’t healthy due to low water levels, it’ll fail to provide power to the starter.
Then, you’ll experience an engine that cranks too slowly or not at all.
Remember: when things work as they should, your engine should only crank for a second or two before running normally. Anything longer than that indicates the battery is weak, likely due to low water levels.
5. Battery Does Not Store Electrical Charge Efficiently
Lastly, a batter that’s low on water will not store electrical power efficiently. That can cause starting problems, as you saw in the previous section.
However, you’ll also notice this problem when using a battery charger. For example, you’ll charge the battery for hours on end, yet the battery never seems to reach full capacity.
When that happens, you can bet that the battery’s water level is too low, and its lead plates are likely corroded extensively.
While the battery might still function slightly, you’ll still want to replace it with a new one. Unfortunately, it won’t take long for the battery to fail completely and leave you stranded, unable to crank your engine.
When Should You Replace A Car Battery?
You don’t necessarily have to replace your car battery just because the water level was too low for a short period. However, you should invest in a new one if those low levels are sustained for an extended period.
Another good sign that you need a new battery is when the existing one has clear signs of corrosion, and you experience problems cranking the engine.
When the battery has reached that point, buying a new battery is the safest thing to do.
How to Refill Car Battery – Adding Water To Battery – Does Refilling Your Car Battery Really Work? >> Check out the video below:
Related Articles
Read more >> What Causes Brake Light On Dash To Stay On? Top 15 Causes!
Read more >> SOS Dashboard:12 Causes Why Your Dashboard Light Stays On!
Read more >> Why Is One Headlight Not Working? (10 Causes & Solutions!)
Read more >> Why Do I Have To Jump My Car Every Time I Turn It Off?
Read more >> Is It Bad To Jumpstart A Car Everyday? (Your Safety Guide!)
Read more >> What Happens If You Connect Battery Terminals Together?
Read more >> Will Adding Water To A Battery Fix It? (Read this!)
Conclusion
Sometimes, a car battery can be easy to overlook. That’s especially true since it’s a component that doesn’t make any noise or have any moving parts. Still, the battery is critical as it starts your engine and powers the electrical system.
So, always ensure that you check the water levels once a week and top them up as needed. That habit will go a long way toward maximizing your battery’s lifespan.