Jan 20, 2021
As car owners, the one thing we all dread is heading out to our cars in a rush to find that it won’t start. The headlights are dim and the engine refuses to turn over, meaning your battery is dead, but how exactly did you find yourself in this position?
Car batteries are the most important piece of equipment used for starting your car and driving it too. It sends power from the starter motor to the sparks plugs, lighting your car’s fuel while also giving over systems such as the lights, radio, air conditioning and more, power.
The tell-tale sign of a battery about to go flat is flickering lights, difficulty starting up or alarm system weakening. In this article, we are going to discuss the most common reasons why your car battery keeps going flat.
Human Error
We are all guilty of coming home and forgetting to turn the headlights off or not closing one of the car doors properly leaving the internal light on, meaning overnight the battery will drain and in the morning, your car fails to start.
Charging Faults
When your charging system isn’t working as expected or it’s experiencing some faults, your car battery can drain even while you’re out on the road. Cars power lights, radios and other important systems through the alternator and this can make the battery drain worse if there are charging faults. Alternators can experience issues relating to loose belts or worn-out tensioners that keep it from working.
Short Journeys
If you’re only using your car for shorter journeys, you may find this will cause the battery to go flat before its time. The battery puts out the most energy when starting the car and turning it off before the alternator has a chance to recharge means you run the risk of the battery going flat.
Loose Cables
When the battery connections are loose or worse, corroded, the charging system cannot fully replenish your battery while driving. They need to be checked regularly for dirt or signs of corrosion and cleaned.
Loose battery cables mean it will be difficult to start the engine as they cannot transfer the electrical current efficiently.
Old Battery
Maybe your car just has a battery that is now old and weak, meaning it can’t hold a full charge. If you’re finding your car consistently won’t start there’s a chance it’s due to old age and being worn out. The general rule of thumb is to replace your car battery every 3-4 years.
What to do with a battery that keeps going flat?
Here at MyCarNeedsA.com, we understand that having a battery that keeps going flat is frustrating and figuring out what’s causing it can be tricking. Assuming that it’s not due to human error, you need to contact a mechanic to have a look at it and diagnose your car’s electrical problem. If you need help finding a reputable mechanic near you, we can help Get your quotes!
