text: The battery is old. Most drivers overlook minor performance issues affecting their battery, which is why, in many cases, motorists don’t know they have a battery problem till theirs dies for good. If there have been no issues or warning signs, but your battery is getting close to the 3-year mark, it’s worth having it checked. It’s best to have a new battery installed before the old one dies to avoid getting sidelined on your next road trip.