7 THINGS THAT CAN DRAIN YOUR CAR BATTERY
Various situations could make you tired due to a poor diet, a long time working or being too involved with others. Although the automobile battery will probably not be attending any social gatherings in the off-hours, many other situations can leave you feeling drained.
WHAT DRAINS A CAR BATTERY?
A dead battery in your car can be a pain. However, it is also a possibility to be prevented. First, you need to be aware of the causes to avoid a dead battery. Put your jumper cables down and look at these seven items that could be why your car’s battery is dying.
- YOU LEFT YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON.
If the battery in your car keeps draining, the first thing to look at is your headlights. A lot of newer cars have headlights that are designed to shut off after a specific period. If your vehicle does not include this feature, your headlights will remain on until you switch them off or until your battery has completely depleted.
- SOMETHING IS CAUSING A “PARASITIC DRAW.”
Even when your car is off, your battery can power things such as the clock, radio, and alarm system. These aren’t likely to have a significant impact on the battery. The main things that drain a storm in a car when it’s not working are lighting fixtures in the interior, door lights, or bad relays.
When your engine is running, it recharges the battery. This is why you won’t have to worry about your battery dying when you blast the radio while driving to work! When the engine is not running, the alternator won’t be able to charge the battery, allowing minor electrical glitches to drain your battery completely. An asymmetric draw is the strain on your battery caused by these electrical glitches.
You can reduce the chance of parasitic draws by switching off the lights at all times and ensuring that your car’s trunk and glovebox, and doors are completely closed and secured before you leave the vehicle.
- YOUR BATTERY CONNECTIONS ARE LOOSE OR CORRODED.
The terminals for the positive and negative that connect to your battery may occasionally be swung around. The terminals can also get damaged or corroded. If your terminals are loose or corroded, you could encounter difficulty starting your car since your battery can’t transfer energy! You may even experience a stall when driving or cause damage to the electronic components in your vehicle. You can prevent corrosion-related issues by regularly cleaning your vehicle’s battery terminals! If you need help cleaning your battery’s terminals, visit the nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care and let a professional technician handle this.
- IT’S EXTREMELY HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE.
Cold winter days and freezing summer days can cause issues with your car’s battery. Newer batteries tend to have more resistance to extreme season temperatures. However, if your battery is old, extreme cold or heat can weaken its performance and even cause it to die completely! If your battery is struggling to withstand the elements, visit Firestone Complete Auto Care for a free battery inspection, and our auto technicians will assist you in identifying and resolving the problem.
- THE BATTERY ISN’T CHARGING WHILE YOU DRIVE.
Your car’s battery depends on your battery every time you start the engine. When your vehicle is running, the battery depends on the alternator to help it remain full. If the alternator isn’t operating correctly, it won’t be able to charge your battery properly and can cause it to be challenging to start your car even if you’re driving!
If your car doesn’t start after a drive in the dark, the problem is with your alternator. Bring your car to Firestone Complete Auto Care to inspect your alternator to determine what’s wrong.
- YOU’RE TAKING TOO MANY SHORT DRIVES.
When driving, the engine draws vast amounts of energy from your battery. However, as previously mentioned, the alternator can recharge your battery as the engine is running. If you’re regularly taking shorter drives, your alternator may need help to fully recharge your battery in between pit stops, particularly in the case of an old battery. In the end, frequent short-term trips reduce the lifespan of your car’s battery.
- YOUR BATTERY IS OLD.
Indeed, nothing lasts forever, not even the battery of your car. In some instances, your vehicle’s battery can last up to five years. However, that is contingent on the location you live in and the way you travel. Extreme temperatures, frequent excursions, and regular usage could reduce the lifespan of your battery by between two and three years. If your car’s battery is dying fast, even after an initial jumpstart, it could be time to buy a new one.
CHECK AND REPLACE YOUR BATTERY
Are you tired of pulling out jumper cables each time you start your vehicle? Have your battery checked at no cost at your area’s Firestone Complete Auto Care. We’ll inform you of the health of your battery and how long remaining. Furthermore, the Complete Battery and Electrical System test can pinpoint the problem if something drains the battery. If it’s the right time to upgrade your battery, We’ll install a high-quality replacement battery.
