We understand – a lot of things can leave you feeling drained, a long day at work, rough day at home with the kids, or even spending too much time with others (we all have those exhausting friends). However, it is safe to assume your car battery probably isn’t going out to gatherings in its off-hours, there are still plenty of other things that may leave it feeling just as drained.
What Drains a Car Battery?
A dead car battery can be annoying, but it can also be avoided. To help prevent a dead battery, you first have to know what causes one. We’ve created a list o, put those jumper cables aside, and check out these seven things that could explain why your car battery keeps dying.
1. You left your headlights on.
If your car battery keeps draining, the first things to check are your lights. Many newer vehicles have headlights designed to turn off after a certain amount of time. But if your car doesn’t have this feature, your headlights may stay on until you either turn them off or till your car battery is completely drained.
2. In Extreme Temperatures.
Freezing winter weather and hot summer days may cause problems for your vehicle’s battery. Newer batteries tend to have more resistance to extreme seasonal temperatures. But if your battery is older, intense cold or heat could weaken its performance or even cause it to die completely!
3. The battery isn’t charging while you drive.
Your car relies on your battery when you fire up the engine. But when your vehicle is running, your battery relies on the alternator to help it stay charged. If your alternator isn’t working correctly, it can’t power and recharge your battery correctly, which can make it hard to start your car even if you were just driving!
4. Something is causing a “parasitic draw.”
Even while your car is off, your battery provides power to things like the clock, the radio, and the alarm system. These things should not have a major impact on your battery. What may drain a car battery when it’s off, however, are things such as interior lights, door lights, or even bad fuses.
While your engine runs, the alternator recharges the battery — which is why you typically don’t have to worry about the battery dying while you’re blasting the radio on your drive to work! But when the engine is off, the alternator can’t recharge the battery, allowing little electrical mishaps to drain your battery entirely. The battery strain caused by these electrical whoopsies is known as a parasitic draw.
You can help avoid parasitic draws by turning off every light and making sure your trunk, glove box, and doors are fully closed and latched before leaving the car.