7 Things that Can Drain Your Car Battery
Just like tires, the car battery is considered one of the most vital components in an automobile. It is what powers your entire vehicle. If you have a dead battery, you will not be able to turn on the vehicle. Many people complain that their car battery dies earlier than usual, irrespective of the brand quality. While certainly annoying, what they do not realize is that they themselves are responsible for it. How? It is precisely what we intend to discuss in today’s blog post.
1. Leaving the Headlights On
The number one reason for a quick draining car battery is accidentally leaving the headlights on. New cars have a feature where the headlights turn off automatically after a fixed time. If you don’t have this feature, check the headlights when parking the car. Leaving the headlights on will not just drain the battery but can also reduce its durability.
2. Using the Infotainment System
It is okay to use the infotainment system if the engine is turned on. However, if the engine is off and you are listening to the radio or watching a movie, the battery will drain out quickly. The reason is that the alternator is not charging the battery when the engine is off. Thus, limit the use of infotainment system, interior lights, and other gadgets when the engine is off. Lastly, we do not recommend charging your mobile phones or laptops when the engine is off either.
3. Failing Alternator
The battery will die out or drain a lot quicker if your alternator is not supplying the necessary power to it. Thus, if you feel that your battery is draining out quicker than usual, it is time to take the car to the workshop. If that’s not feasible, you can avail PitStopArabia’s mobile mechanic service. We will diagnose and fix the situation in no time at all.
4. Extreme Temperatures
Car batteries are not meant to withstand extreme cold or hot temperatures. Thus, when the temperatures soar or drop, you will see a dip in the battery’s performance. Extreme temperatures can cause lead sulphate crystals to build up, responsible for faster drainage and reduction in the battery's long-term life. The best thing to do is to limit the car for long drives and maintain it properly.
5. Short Trips
We mentioned just now that you should limit your car to long trips only. Why? The reason is that too many short trips prevent the battery from charging. When this is done regularly over long periods, it can negatively affect the battery's life. Thus, you will start experiencing quicker drain times, and the vehicle may take longer to start in the morning.
6. Problems with the Battery Terminals
If you are experiencing battery troubles, we recommend that you check the terminals. If they are corroded, it will prevent the battery from charging adequately. You can ask your local workshop to clean the terminals for you if you cannot do it yourself. If the terminals are not corroded, they might be loose. Try tightening them. Kindly make sure that the vehicle is completely turned off before cleaning or tightening.
7. Electrical Problem
If your car is old, it might be experiencing electrical problems which prevent the battery from charging or drain it too quickly. The only way to know for sure is to drive to your nearest workshop and ask for a complete electric audit. It will determine the problem.
Wrap Up
By now, you already know that PitStopArabia offers car battery replacement and repair services throughout the UAE. We provide car batteries from top brands such as ACDelco and Bosch. If you need a battery, you can avail the service through our online portal. This concludes our article, and if you have any questions, do let us know. Thank You.