Are you tired of your car’s battery dying frequently? This issue can leave a big dent in your pocket if not treated on time. You might ask yourself – why does my car battery keep dying?
There isn’t one reason why your car might be experiencing this problem.
A lot of things can be blamed, such as loose connections, old age of your battery, extreme temperatures, defective alternators, and more.
Does your car smell funky? Find out the reasons why here.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore some more major causes why your car’s battery keeps dying.
Parasitic Draw
Parasitic draw, also known as parasite drain, is a condition where your car’s battery drains even when the engine is off. It’s generally caused due to wiring issues or electrical problems where certain components of the car fail to shut down.
Checking for the parasitic draw is important as it could be a reason behind your car’s failing battery.
Furthermore, the parasitic drain could also indicate a blown fuse or poor battery installation.
Defective Alternator
The task of an alternator is to recharge the battery after every use. It also controls the functioning of other electrical components such as AC, infotainment system, lights, etc.
Now you might wonder how it is responsible for the drainage of your car’s battery? Here’s how!
There is a small component inside the alternator called a diode. If the alternator contains a faulty diode, the battery won’t receive the appropriate current to recharge properly.
Thus, it will drain faster. Besides, the alternator’s suboptimal performance will affect the functioning of other electrical components in your car.
Does the electrical component falter when you drive your car and work fine when the car’s idle? It’s a signal that something is wrong with your alternator.
Therefore, getting it checked by a good mechanic becomes important.
Old Battery
Just like any old machine, your car’s battery loses its ability to perform efficiently as it gets older. An old battery drains much faster compared to a new one.
Does your car deliver bad performance consistently? Do you find your car’s battery drained all the time?
The reasons might not be something external but your battery’s old age. Your battery might be in its last days and require urgent replacement.
Typically, one needs to replace their battery after every 4-5 years. If your battery’s older than that, consider installing a new one as soon as possible.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures can cut down the charging capacity of your car’s battery. Low and high temperatures lead to the formation of small sulfate crystals in the battery. These crystals reach your unit and wreak havoc in the car’s system.
If you leave your car in the heat, for example, under the sun for a long time, the battery will mold.
On the other hand, if you leave it under extreme cold, the battery’s power storing capacity will decrease drastically, reducing its efficiency to handle multiple electric pieces of equipment in your car.
To prevent your battery from draining fast, avoid exposing your car to acute temperature as much as possible. Drive long and frequently in winters and park your car in shades in summers. This is a great tactic to minimize the weather’s effects on your car’s battery.
We have learned all the primary causes for why your car’s battery drains fast. It’s time we understand how to treat this issue. Here are some tips you can follow to reduce the battery drainage, making it work better.
Maintain Your Battery
Make sure that your battery stays clean and dry to prevent leaks and extend its life. If your battery comes with lead-acid, it is already maintenance-free.
Nevertheless, it’s still useful to check the battery’s liquid level every year, just like you do with engine oil.
If you consider refilling your battery, make sure to check if it’s capable of doing so. Don’t forget that not all batteries can be opened; some are sealed. Therefore, in such a case, replacing your battery is an ideal choice. A new battery will give better performance to your car.
Avoid Short Trips
Do you love taking short trips in your car? Unfortunately, it isn’t good for the car’s battery. People who travel multiple small distances frequently hardly charge their battery on time.
This eventually causes problems with the battery, drainage being one of them.
Even if one makes short trips after charging their battery fully, it still reduces your battery’s performance.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid taking your car for multiple short journeys. It will not only help you maintain your car’s battery, but you will not face issues during long trips.
Do a Warm-up
It sounds bizarre, but healthy batteries live longer with morning gymnastics. If you leave your lights ON for three minutes before driving your car, the battery will start to work up a sweat.
It’s less time and energy-consuming for the battery to supply current to various electronic parts. Therefore, your battery will offer enhanced performance.
Turn Off Your Start-Stop System
A start-stop system demands a lot of electricity from the battery. At every start, a peak voltage must be supplied by the battery to the button, although cars with this system have a special battery designed for this feature.
However, it’s better to turn it off in the winter. Modern-day cars come with start-stop systems that turn OFF on their own. Besides, if that’s not the case with your car, turning it OFF manually is always an option.
Hang Your Battery on the Charger
Are you not going to use the car for a long time? If yes, then hang the battery on a trickle charger. This way, you prevent it from deflating and breaking.
Even if you ride a lot of short trips or go by bike more often, it’s useful to recharge your battery occasionally with a charger.
Final Words
We hope that now you have a clear understanding of why your car’s battery keeps on dying. If you are tired of this issue, make sure to follow the tips we have shared with you.
They will surely help you cure your draining battery, improving its performance.
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