A dead car battery is one of the most irritating things that car owners face. If it happens when you are in a hurry to go somewhere, the irritation just gets magnified.
Here are 4 common reasons why your battery keeps dying and what you can do about it
2. Leaving the car idling for long periods of time or leaving the car lights on overnight.
3. An electrical fault or a faulty alternator could also drain the battery.
4. Using electronic devices when the car is idling, or the battery is already in a weakened state.
It’s necessary to remember that your car ignition system can only start the engine if the car battery generates an electrical charge to fire up the ignition system. So, a weak or dead battery means no electrical charge. No electrical charge means, dead engine – or in other words, dead car.
Extend your Car Battery Life – 4 Important Tips
Even though you can expect your car battery to last anywhere from 2-5 years (depending on how you use it), as mentioned above several factors can impact battery life. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Charge the Battery
- Make sure you run your car for long periods – this allows the battery to charge completely.
- If you drive only short distances, the battery does not get enough time to charge 100%. If you don’t drive your car regularly then again, the battery gets drained – so drive long distances and drive regularly to keep your battery charged.
- Idling for long periods of time can drain the battery quickly – if you are not going to be driving, simply turn off the engine.
Tip – Keep a portable battery on hand so you can jump start your car anytime the battery drains.
2. Turn off the lights!
Ever left the car lights on overnight? Well, we have all done it at some point or the other and woken up to a dead battery in the morning. Human error – but you can do it a few things to ensure you don’t repeat the mistake.
Always check your car lights before getting out of the car and ensure all your doors as well as the trunk is firmly closed.
A salient idea is to park in semi-darkness so you can’t miss the car lights in case you forgot to turn them off.
You might also want to set reminders on your phone about checking the car lights or simply place stickers on the dashboard reminding yourself to turn the lights off!
3. Usage of Electrical Accessories
Your car battery can get drained quickly if you use electrical accessories such as the radio, USB ports, or phone chargers.
You can save battery life by limiting use of electrical devices and accessories, using your air condition only when needed, and by limiting or turning off electrical dependent components when the car is not running.
4. Secure your Battery Firmly in Place
If the battery is not secured firmly in place in the mounting rack, it will move or vibrate when the car starts to run. This can cause damage to the battery and other components as well as lead to short circuits.
You need to be extra careful about this if you regularly drive on bad roads. If you suspect your battery is moving or vibrating, and you are unable to rectify the issue, a professional car technician can help you out.
Check Your Battery Health and Don’t Forget Routine Servicing
It is important to check the condition of your car battery on a routine basis if you want to extend its life cycle.
A car battery tester can read the output voltage level the battery so you can gauge whether the condition of your battery is good, or if it needs to be replaced.
Routine maintenance is a crucial aspect of taking care of your car. During a service check, your car technician will check your battery and all other electrical components that can impact the performance of your battery and your car.
Car mechanics you can trust!
Car battery issues troubling you? If yes, then we can help. Give Accurate Services a call today at 520-620-9129 or schedule an appointment online as per your convenience!