Battery concern (inside light dims when operating power windows)

[mitsumi]

Hi, is there in any way to know if the battery is getting low? Or if its time to change? I know my Mirage is new but i noticed that when i try to push the window controls on the driver side panel the light inside dims. Is it a battery problem?

[Mistah JT]

Hi, is there in any way to know if the battery is getting low? Or if its time to change? I know my Mirage is new but i noticed that when i try to push the window controls on the driver side panel the light inside dims. Is it a battery problem?

You'll also find when you press the window buttons, the headlights dim, and the idle will drop.
Happens to all the cars I have been in. Guess it's cause it draws a fair bit of power.

[DemiRage]

Hi, is there in any way to know if the battery is getting low? Or if its time to change? I know my Mirage is new but i noticed that when i try to push the window controls on the driver side panel the light inside dims. Is it a battery problem?

I had a similar concern and asked the dealer service manager. I was told that the dimming/flickering lights were "normal" with the Mirage.

[Ares]

Battery and alternator aren't the most powerful.

IIRC, someone on here is thinking or have put a bigger alternator and battery. I'm assuming doing that would solve you're issue.

[ahintofpepperjack]

The battery is quite large for our little engine actually, probably because of the Start/Stop system on models outside the US. I work in auto parts, and Honda Civic Hybrids use a battery that is half the size of ours.

I believe I read somewhere our Alternators are 70Amp. That is why you see dimming lights when you roll the windows up/down. At idle the alternator is going to be putting out much less than that. Probably close to half, so ~40amps. The window motors are just drawing more current than the alternator is supplying at idle, resulting in a voltage drop. This is completely normal, and our large batteries will have no problem absorbing that.

[R01k]

All cars I've had do the same. As far as it's not really bad there's nothing to worry about.

[Ares]

I work in auto parts, and Honda Civic Hybrids use a battery that is half the size of ours.

Yes; because the Civic hybrids don't have any other battery pack on them.

[ahintofpepperjack]

Yes; because the Civic hybrids don't have any other battery pack on them.

I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or not. But the civic hybrids do have a secondary battery pack for the hybrid system.

[alex16]

The battery in the Mirage is not very good, big yes it is big but not what I call "good", just IMO. In the owners manual the 55D23L is rated at 356 CCA. My MR2 ran for about 3 years with a 330 CCA lawn and garden gold battery from autozone without any issues but it had no power features and a 70-80 amp alternator. I am sure my late warranty start (my Mirage being a dec 31st 2014 purchase) will help replace my battery before the 2 year battery warranty expires, my local dealership uses Interstate batteries exclusively so hopefully I get a nice interstate if my original fails.

[Ares]

I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or not. But the civic hybrids do have a secondary battery pack for the hybrid system.

So, the question is, would the second battery pack be the reason why the battery on the engine bay is small... I wonder...