Why Your Car Battery Keeps Dying
Car batteries die because of a huge number of reasons. But if we had to narrow it down to three categories, they would be:
• Electrical system problems
• Battery problems
• User error
But what causes a battery to keep biting the dust? Usually loose or corroded battery connections, charging problems, persistent electrical drains, extreme weather, and continually demanding more power from the alternator than it can provide.
Some of these problems will kill the battery outright. Still others are coupled with a battery that's already weak or dying.
Other causes include:
• Headlights or dome lights that are left on
• Battery is in weak or poor condition
• Corroded or loose battery connections
• Parasitic drains on the electrical system, including trunk and glove box lights that come on, or stay on, when they shouldn't.
• Extreme hot or cold weather
• Charging system problems
Battery Maintenance and Testing
A lot of battery problems can be avoided with regular maintenance. If your battery isn't sealed, checking each cell to make sure its properly filled with electrolyte is important. If the electrolyte level drops below the tops of the lead plates, there's a problem.
Top off battery cells with distilled water. Tap water is fine depending on the quality of the water where you live.
You can also test your battery with an inexpensive tool called a hydrometer. It allows you to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell. If you find that one or more cells is very low after the battery is fully charged, then the battery needs replacing.
Another good tool for checking your battery is a load tester. This inexpensive tool puts a load on your battery which stimulates the draw of a starter motor. It also allows you to see both the unloaded and loaded battery voltage.
If you do decide to buy a load tester, remember batteries that are shorted internally can explode under the right conditions, so wear protective gear when working with your battery.
Loose or Corroded Car Battery Connections
The key to keeping your battery from dying prematurely is maintenance. That means keeping on top of corrosion! Make sure the battery connections remain tight and secure. Don't allow the electrolyte in a non-sealed battery to drop.
These simple steps help to make your battery last longer.
At the Joe Bowman service department, our Certified Chevy technicians thoroughly check your car when you bring it in for service. And that means a battery check, too!
If you invest in a Bowman used car here in Harrisonburg VA, you already know that our mechanics perform a 75-point inspection on your vehicle to ensure, as far as is humanly possible, the safety and high performance of your vehicle.
We follow that up with a 30 or 90-day warranty, depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle. Additionally, when you buy from us, you will get free State inspections for as long as you own the vehicle, a complimentary vehicle to use when your car is in our shop, and preferred customer scheduling.
For the finest in quality car care, book an appointment with our service department. To learn more about Joe Bowman Chevrolet-Cadillac, visit our website: www.joebowmanautoplaza.com or stop in and visit us!
