Do you often get to your car and have no battery? This could be why!

Determining the cause of premature battery discharge doesn’t have to be a challenge if you know where to look. In an ideal scenario, a typical car battery has a useful life of three years or 36 months, and you should not have any problems with hard starts or battery drain in that average period. Batteries are consumables and need to be replaced every three to four years. However, sometimes time doesn’t even reach that point. So if you usually get to your car and it doesn’t have a battery, this could be why!

Do you often get to your car and have no battery? This could be why!

Persistent battery drain means potential problems need to be addressed. Especially when it comes to a relatively new or brand-new car battery. Remember that your vehicle consumes energy even when the engine is not running. The security alarm, CPU and stored vehicle settings consume some power when the car is at rest. However, they do not consume too much energy to leave the battery discharged. That is unless there is something wrong with the car’s electrical systems.

It doesn’t matter if you have a typical gasoline or diesel car. Any car is susceptible to running out of battery, especially as it ages.

Why is my car battery discharging?

One of the worst feelings in the world is getting into the car, turning the key (or pressing a button) and nothing happens – not even a shudder. In some cases, the starter engages slightly but is unable to start the engine. All of this points to a dead or failed car battery. But what causes newer batteries to waste energy?

Problems with the alternator

Your car’s alternator recharges the battery while driving, providing enough energy to start the vehicle. motor. If there is something wrong with the alternator, a weak or insufficient charge could leave you unable to recharge the battery. Look for an alternator warning light on the instrument panel, or have a specialist check the alternator for any short circuits or electrical wear.

Parasitic power loss

A car battery can quickly discharge if the electrical systems operate with parasitic consumption. Leaving the interior lights on when the car is parked can significantly drain the battery. Make sure all lights in the trunk, doors, glove box and passenger compartment are off before leaving the car.

Damage or corrosion

Check battery cables and terminals for visible damage, wear and corrosion. These can cause starting difficulties, electrical problems and battery drain. The good news is that you only need everyday household items to clean the battery terminals.

Extreme weather conditions

Driving in very hot or cold weather can have a negative impact on your car’s battery charge. If you live in places with harsh weather conditions, consider upgrading to an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) battery, which lasts longer and resists the elements better than a standard lead-acid battery.