2014~2018 Car doesn't seem to want to start immediately?

[ZDA3]

Upon ignition or powering on the car, it takes a moment for it to start (compared to what it was when the car was newer). The car has 250k miles now. The battery is actually new so are the spark plugs. Could this just be because it's hot outside or something else?

It does power on eventually and the car seems to run fine, but is it telling me to replace or service something?

 

[wlong01]

Have you ever replaced the starter or alternator? Even though the battery is new doesn't mean it can't have a weak cell. I had to replace a battery couple months in due to a bad cell. If it continues you might want to get it diagnosed. Could be a warning of things to come.
It's been in the mid 90's here and I haven't noticed any difference in starting.

 

[ZDA3]

I've never had to replace a starter before but on this car I believe the alternator had been replaced once before along with the battery, but not sure how long ago or at what mileage the car was. I'll visit Auto Zone since they do free testing for the battery, alternator and starter.

My battery is not even 500 miles old yet. If the alternator is the issue, must I replace the battery as well when the alternator is replaced (or only when the alternator stops working THEN the battery must be replaced as well regardless if it's new)?

I'll probably just go ahead and have the starter motor replaced since it hasn't been done and the car is already 250k miles.

 

[wlong01]

If the alternator was bad your battery wouldn't charge and eventually run down. I guess it's possible the alternator could be going bad but that would be one of the last things to check. I'd zero in on the battery, maybe get it load tested. That takes longer than one of the test you would do with a battery tester or what they do at Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc. I don't know how to test the alternator but you can use a multimeter on the battery. Engine off it should read around 12.6, running should be up in the 13's. If it doesn't change while running that would signal a problem with the alternator. Turn off all accessories when the engine is running.

Another thing - what are your driving habits? Do you do a lot of short trips? lots of stopping, running errands, shutting car off and then restarting? Things like that don't give the battery time to recharge. I drive like that and every couple weeks I use a battery tender to bring the battery up to full charge.

 

[ZDA3]

Yup that's pretty much how my driving is like but my battery is not even 500 miles old yet. Just bought it.

If I were to replace the starter motor, what other component(s) should I also consider replacing? I'm assuming the solenoid comes with the starter motor.

The starter motor is considered as an "electrical" component per Rockauto category. The type of solenoid Rockauto sells though is considered as an "engine" component (see pic below). Is this the solenoid that is for the starter motor or not?