A dead car battery is the worst thing to discover in the morning. It’s even more frustrating if your car battery keeps dying and you need to constantly recharge it. In this guide, we’ll cover some things you can do to figure out why your battery keeps draining and whether or not it needs a replacement.
Luckily, you can perform a few troubleshooting steps independently, but you may need professional assistance in case of a more complicated problem.
Contents
Top Reasons Why a Car Battery Keeps Dying
1. Dirty or Loose Battery Connections
Ensure that the connectors on your battery are firmly connected and clean. Dirt and corrosion can prevent the battery from getting charged properly while the car is running and impede the battery’s ability to start the car.
Brush the battery posts with baking soda and tighten up the connections to ensure a solid connection.
2. The Alternator Needs Replacing
The alternator charges the battery and keeps the car running while you drive by converting the movement of the engine into electricity. Even if the car is not driven, the car battery will usually drain over a long period due to power being supplied to the car alarm and starting systems. That’s also why it’s heavily recommended to turn on your car for at least 20 minutes (at a time) every week or so since even frequent shorter trips might not charge the battery sufficiently.
If your battery dies while driving, that means that it’s not being charged properly or at all. In that case, the alternator or alternator belt is likely the problem.
If you suspect the alternator may be the problem with your vehicle, take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for further evaluation.
3. Lights Left On
Your battery can drain if you leave the lights on or don’t completely close the doors, trunk, or hood. Check to ensure there aren’t any lights on when leaving your vehicle parked. An undetected dome or glove box light that stays on overnight might be just enough to drain your car battery.
Inspect your vehicle at nighttime to see if you can spot any lights illuminated in or on the vehicle. While it might be a bit trickier, you should also take a look at your trunk light.
4. Faulty Electronics Installation
If you’ve had an auto-start system, alarm, or third-party stereo system installed in a vehicle that originally didn’t have it, it may be draining the battery. Check to ensure these items are properly wired and installed correctly.
Auto-start and alarm systems drain a small amount of power from the battery even with the car off. This drain is amplified during cold weather, which can result in a rapid battery discharge.
If there is a switch to turn off your auto-start or alarm system during inclement weather, you may want to use it to cut power.
Also, try disconnecting your phone charger and radio when turning the car off. These components might be draining the vehicle’s battery even when not running, which can leech off battery power.
5. Improper Car Storage
You’ve probably heard that you should start up your car now and again during winter to ensure the battery is working. While this is sound advice, cold usually doesn’t deteriorate the battery much.
However, storing the battery in high heat can deteriorate the outer casing and prevent it from functioning optimally. Typically, the car battery is under less stress during the summer, so you may not notice a decrease in power output from a deteriorated battery. After that, all the accumulated damage may start to show up during wintertime, usually when you need your car the most.
To prevent this issue, avoid parking your car in entirely open areas for a long time. Even a bit of shade during summer will curb battery deterioration. It’s best to store your car in the garage since it will stay protected from both scorching and freezing temperatures.
6. The Battery Is Done
Car batteries don’t last forever. They typically can last about five years, depending on the weather conditions, but in some cases might last only three.
Look for a battery health indicator. Some newer batteries have this feature. The indicator is usually a small colored circle located on the cover of the battery.
- If the indicator is green, the battery is good.
- If it’s red, the battery is low.
- If it’s black, the battery is completely dead and can no longer be used.
Use a multimeter to test the battery after it has been fully charged:
- Set the multimeter to 12V.
- Connect red to positive and black to negative.
- A healthy and fully charged battery should display around 12 volts.
- If the voltage is below 11, your battery might have a bad cell.
- If you don’t own a multimeter, many auto-part stores or battery stores will test your battery for you.
7. Faulty System
There’s typically a fuse box under the hood or the driver’s console, which contains switches that control how the car battery and alternator distribute power when needed. If one of the fuses is blown or rusted, it may make it seem like the battery keeps dying.
However, diagnosing faulty fuses is typically best left to a professional car electrician or mechanic.
8. Frequent Quick EV Charging
Electric vehicles have a slightly different version of a regular car battery, but it performs much of the same function. However, most stations have at least two different charging modes, including a “quick” charger that charges the battery in three to five minutes compared to the usual 20.
In general, the quick charge option outputs a higher voltage and heats up the battery more. Lithium-ion batteries can deteriorate slightly faster if exposed to higher temperatures. That’s why frequently recharging your electric car with a quick charge may slowly deteriorate the battery.
In most cases, the difference between regular and quick charging is minimal, and several studies have shown that quick charging doesn’t have a noticeable effect on the car’s battery. But it might be better to be safe and use the car’s recommended charging settings as frequently as possible.
FAQs About Your Car Battery
What Type of Car Battery Lasts the Longest?
The lifespan of a car battery depends on many factors, such as the type of battery, how it’s used, the climate, and the maintenance it receives. However, there are three types of car batteries that are known for their long lifespan:
- AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Batteries: AGM batteries are sealed, maintenance-free batteries that are highly resistant to vibrations and shock. They are designed to provide excellent performance in extreme temperatures, making them ideal for use in cars that are used in harsh climates. AGM batteries often last up to six years or more.
- Gel Cell Batteries: Gel cell batteries are also sealed and maintenance-free. They are designed to be highly resistant to vibrations and shock, making them ideal for use in off-road vehicles. Gel cell batteries can last up to six years or more as well.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in cars due to their high energy density, lightweight, and lifespan. These batteries can last up to 10 years or more and are known for their ability to maintain their performance even in extreme temperatures.
Can You Extend the Life of Your Battery?
It’s important to note that the lifespan of a car battery also depends on how well it is maintained. Regular maintenance, such as keeping the battery clean, properly charging it, and avoiding deep discharges, can help extend the life of any type of car battery.
We hope this guide has helped you with troubleshooting steps in determining why your car battery keeps dying.