How do you prevent a dead car battery?

Oct 9

Winter can be a great season to get on the road. Winter is a great time to do your holiday shopping, attend your favorite seasonal celebrations, or take a last road trip before the new year.

To ensure a safe journey, it is essential to ensure your vehicle is ready before taking an extended drive. While it is a great way to ensure your vehicle is prepared for road conditions, it cannot prevent all possible problems. A dead battery in your car is one of the drivers' most common problems during the winter months.

How do I know when to replace my car battery?

Depending on where you live, car owners may see their car batteries lose between 35% and 60% due to the temperature drop. Your car battery will not be as apparent as other traditional batteries like those in your TV remote or gaming console. It is even more important to recognize the symptoms of a dead car battery and not an alternator. Both will show similar symptoms. These are the signs that a dead battery can cause. These are:

Dead Battery Signs

The radio and headlights work, but the engine doesn't start.
The engine will begin but then will immediately stop.
The battery emits an odd smell.
The battery appears visibly damaged or swollen.
The check engine lamp flashes.

Signs that a Dead Alternator is Here

Dimming or too bright lights.
Flashing or flickering lights.
Low or slow performance of accessories such as radios or infotainment systems.
The dashboard's battery warning light turns on.

What can drain my car battery?

Weather conditions could increase your chance of a sudden breakdown or another failure, exceptionally if you haven't properly maintained your vehicle. Your battery's ability to drain quickly depends on how you store it during winter and fall. If two identical cars have the same battery, it will drain faster than one stored in a garage.

Although it is not always possible to keep your car in a garage, there are some ways you can protect your battery over the winter months. To determine if your problem is more severe or a simple fix, you can have your battery checked at several retailers.

Five Ways to Prevent Your Car's Battery from Dying

These easy tips will help ensure your car's battery is charged during winter.

Disconnect your battery

You can disconnect your battery if you don't plan to drive your vehicle for several days or months. Instead, bring your vehicle into your garage/basement and keep it there. If this seems too tricky, you can buy battery blankets or battery warmers to insulate your vehicle. They do a great job of holding heat in your battery and protecting it from extreme temperatures.

Do More of the Time

A little-known fact about car battery life is that short trips can reduce their lifespan. Your car's alternator is charging your battery while you drive. This is because your battery gets electricity from the alternator. Your battery will die faster if you take shorter trips.

You can extend your battery life by driving longer distances and driving more frequently. It could be as simple as driving the scenic route to work instead of the one down the street, visiting your favorite coffee shop in the opposite direction, or visiting more friends. It is a great way to increase your life expectancy by driving your car long distances.

Make sure to clean your battery.

Your vehicle's battery can become dirty due to its electrical components. This can happen even in the cleanest engine bay. It is easy to clean your battery. Start with the battery terminals. These should be checked for corrosion at least once a month in the fall and winter. You must clean the corrosion buildup from automotive battery terminals with a wire brush. Corrosion can cause reduced performance, damaged components, and the release of harmful chemicals that could harm other parts.

The majority of car batteries contain a solution called "battery acid." It is essential to be on the lookout for any leaks. The acid can leach over time and cause the acidic liquid from the battery to ooze. You should change your battery as soon as you notice any acid leaking. Failure to do so can cause permanent damage to your battery and other components.

Buy a Battery Charger

To provide the necessary starting power to your car, your car's battery must be charged. Your alternator is what charges your car's battery when it is running. You will have no charge if your vehicle is left idle for too long. With modern advances in automotive technology, a car battery charger makes it easy to charge your car's battery.

The device can be plugged directly into a domestic outlet to charge your battery. This device can charge your car's battery from either the inside or outside of your vehicle, so it is ideal for winter charging. Portable battery chargers are available that you can keep in your car for when you forget to turn your lights on or if your car is having trouble starting.

Avoid Battery-Draining Habits

A dead battery can also be caused by drivers not turning off their vehicle's cabin lights or headlights. This is a common mistake, whether it is winter or summer. A dead battery can be caused by even minor things like idling in your car while you use the heater or listening to music with the engine off.