Batteries are to cars what mitochondria are to cells, the powerhouse. At last, I was able to use this important information my school taught me! By the powerhouse, I refer to the electrical powerhouse. Every electrical inside your car depends upon the proper working of the battery. If the battery is down, you won’t even start the engine. So what exactly goes inside your car that is draining the life out of the battery? Let’s find out!
You might be the cause!
Yes, I am not blaming you. The cabin light was left on or the headlights were not properly turned off. Last night, you were stressed and forgot to turn off the lights. It will drain the battery. It is the most probable reason that the car battery is drained, and now the car won’t start. So you must check whether all the electricals are switched off. New cars come with a feature that will alarm you if the headlights are on. So, next time pay close attention to this detail, and the car battery will not drain due to this reason anymore.
Okay, now you are keeping in mind to switch off the cabin lights and the headlights at night. But still, the battery is draining! Now what? This might be due to the faulty charging system. It won’t be able to charge the battery as fast as the battery is draining. It will eventually lead to the car battery draining fully and leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere. The basic component of the charging system is the alternator. If the alternator belt is loose or it is faulty, the battery won’t charge properly.
The major chunk of power from the battery is used when the car is started. For the battery to revive the power, it needs some time. And the short drives are the exact opposite. So to avoid the battery draining faster, it is advised that you avoid excessive short drives.
It is something you cannot prevent. The rust can get into any place where there is moisture and water. So there is a chance that the battery’s connections can get corroded with time. As a result, the charging process will be disrupted, causing the battery to discharge. So it is advised to get the battery terminal connectors replaced if you see some rust as just cleaning them won’t help.
It is a major reason, people tend to over-see. If your car battery is old, it may have lost its recharging capabilities. The usual car battery lasts for about three years. So it is advised that if the battery has crossed the deadline, it’s better to get it replaced rather than getting it recharged. Recharging won’t help as it will discharge again.
Resources: geomechanics. in