Vibration is the most common way to kill a car battery. Of all the ways your car battery can die, vibration is the least sophisticated. Shake any car battery long enough and hard enough, and you'll damage its internal components.
These include overcharging, undercharging and excessive vibration. Overcharging can kill a battery very quickly by boiling electrolyte out of the cells, and by overheating and warping the cell plates. Undercharging can shorten a battery's life by allowing the plates to be come permanently sulfated.
If you let the charge drop too low, your battery can become irreparably damaged. So, how low are we talking? A typical 12-volt auto battery will have around 12.6 volts when fully charged. It only needs to drop down to around 10.5 volts to be considered fully discharged.
There are too many apps running location services. There are too many apps running in the background. The screen is too bright. The screen is staying on too long before going to sleep. The phone doesn't have service.
In general, car batteries should last 3-4 years; it's typical for car maintenance to have to replace this part. Some batteries, however, could last as long as 6 years while others need to be replaced after a year or two. Here are some of the factors that affect how long your car battery will last: How often you drive.
“Electrical devices or lights left running, a defective charging system or alternator, and extreme weather are some common reasons but maybe it's just time to get a new battery.”
Factors that can shorten its life include an extended period of partial or full discharge, vibration from not being properly secured, under- or overcharging, extreme temperatures, water loss, electrolyte contamination and corrosion on terminals.
Battery malfunction is seldom caused by a factory defect; driving habits are the more common culprits. Heavy accessory power when driving short distance prevents a periodic fully saturated charge that is so important for the longevity of a lead acid battery.
Car Care
Coke can be used to clean car battery terminals; the slight acidity does not react with battery acid, so you can pour it over the battery and let it wash away corrosion.
Temperature variations common in spring can cause your battery to fail without warning. There are lots of reasons for that. For starters, terminal corrosion built up during winter months may cause your battery to lose its oomph.
There are several issues that can ruin an alternator: Using jumper cables wrong, Overloading the charging system with too many accessories, Leaking fluid, or.
But when the engine is off, the alternator can't recharge the battery, allowing little electrical mishaps to drain your battery entirely. The battery strain caused by these electrical whoopsies is known as a parasitic draw.
If the drain is excessive, the most common way of isolating the cause is removing one fuse at a time. If the current drops to normal when you remove a fuse, then that fuse identifies the offending circuit. If you're using these methods, then hopefully the battery is under the hood and easy to reach.
A car battery is usually made up of lead-acid cells. There are some reasons a car battery may not hold a charge. The most common cause is that the battery is old and needs to be replaced. Another possibility is that the battery has been damaged by heat or cold.
Signs you have a bad battery
According to Matthew Hart, owner of AxleWise.com, signs your battery is going bad include: The car is difficult to start. Once started, the car doesn't hold a charge for very long. Dim or flickering taillights and headlights.
Usually, dead car batteries may be revived – at least temporarily – to get you back on the road. However, the accumulation of damage may lead to an untimely demise of your car battery, and this typically needs to be replaced. But as the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure.
But if you're only taking short trips, your battery may not be getting the recharge it needs for the next time you start your vehicle. This is certainly an annoyance if you happen to be away from home. But even worse, it can significantly shorten the life of your battery.
Slow Engine Crank
One of the first telltale signs of failing battery power is a slow, long crank before the engine starts. If you notice a difference in your normal startup of the car, you can get your battery checked. In most cases, you'll only need to recharge your battery.