Main Reasons Why Car Batteries Fail | Car Battery Failure Causes

Consider that you bought a new car battery. After a week, month, or a year, the battery is dead or outright failed. You might be wondering that this is once in a blue moon kind of scenario, but that’s not the case. Battery failure is quite common. Nearly every one of our readers and customers would have heard stories of someone getting stranded because of a battery problem. If not, you might have experienced it yourself. There are several reasons for battery failure. In this blog post, we will discuss the top reasons for battery failure.

Substandard Battery

Unfortunately, people are naturally inclined to buy things that help them save money. There is nothing wrong with this approach. After all, it is your hard-earned money, and you get to decide how you spend it. But PitStopArabia recommends that when it comes to your car, always opt for quality over price. Do not opt for substandard products, especially the battery. Why? It is what powers your entire vehicle. So, if the battery is substandard, you might damage other components. Also, a substandard battery might die earlier than its expected age.

Lack of Maintenance

The next most common reason for battery failure is the lack of maintenance. Many people ignore the battery, even though it is expressly communicated that you need to maintain it. For instance, you need to ensure that there is no dirt, grime, or other contaminants. The reason is that they are extremely damaging to the battery. Also, ensure that the terminals, screws, clamps, and other battery components are in proper condition. A loose screw or clamp is enough to cause permanent damage to the battery.

Debris

While driving around, the car is continuously exposed to debris. At times, you might not realize it, but the debris might come into contact with the battery and other components. It is quite common as the debris can come underneath the tires and launch into the engine bay. A small strike can damage the battery, causing a crack or leakage. You can opt for car battery repair, but a battery is not repairable in certain circumstances.

Rough Driving

Just like debris, rough driving is not at all good for the battery. Driving over potholes or sudden movement can cause the chemicals inside the battery to leak/spill. These chemicals are extremely harmful to the automobile and people around it. If you feel any leakage or smoke from the battery, call a certified battery workshop immediately. They know how to handle such situations.

Extreme Weather

A car battery is made for moderate temperatures. Extremely hot or cold temperatures can disrupt its functioning. You might have noticed that people are trying to jumpstart their car in winters. The reason is that extreme cold reduces cranking power. Likewise, extreme summer temperatures can also negatively impact the battery.

Too Many Electrical Gadgets

People have developed the habit of charging their mobile phones or using the infotainment system while the vehicle is turned off. Over time, this practice will significantly reduce the battery’s capacity, forcing you to change it much earlier than expected. The best way to avoid it is by limiting the gadgets in your car and not using them when the engine is turned off.

Repeated Cycling

When you charge a car battery fully and then completely drain it, the industry calls this practice 'cycling'. Over time, repeated cycling will reduce the battery's capacity and lead to other issues. If you practice this, you need to stop right now. Otherwise, be prepared to replace the battery. Suppose you work in an industry where you repeatedly require the battery's power. In that case, we recommend buying a high-capacity battery or one from the top brands. Nevertheless, PitStopArabia never recommends repeated cycling in any case.

Wrap Up

This concludes our article. If you have any question related to the battery, please let us know. Our experts will answer all your queries. Lastly, if you plan on buying a used vehicle, do check the battery. If it is poorly maintained or nearing its end life, point it out to the seller. Otherwise, you might need to replace it soon after. So, get the battery’s price deducted from the seller’s asking price. For more information on things to consider before buying a used vehicle, read our article.