Top 5 Things That Will Kill Your Battery
The battery is a physically small part of your vehicle, but it plays an important part. The battery not only starts your car, but it also stores the extra electricity created by your alternator. In an emergency situation, you can jumpstart your car, but this is not something you want to do repeatedly. It doesn't take much to make a battery weak, less than a 20% drop in voltage can prevent the battery from starting the car.
There are many reasons that your battery may die, but we'll just cover the top five.
5) Bad Alternator
Your alternator and battery are a team. The battery starts the car and the alternator charges the battery while the vehicle is running. If the alternator fails, the battery will not charge, in fact, the car will be running off the battery's remaining voltage. This will only last a few miles before the battery is depleted.
4) Old Battery
Batteries don't last forever, most last only 3 to 5 years (unless you use a CTEK charger, then they will last 2-3 times longer). If the battery dies, check and see how old it is before you look at other causes.
3) Using Accessories While the Car is Off
We're not saying it's bad to listen to the radio or to use other accessories in the car, but if you do it while the vehicle is off, the battery can't recharge. When the car is running, the alternator powers the electrical accessories like wipers, infotainment centers, power seats, phone chargers, and more. If the battery is weakened, it may not have enough power to turn over the engine.
2) Not Shutting a Door Completely
If a car door or trunk is not entirely closed, interior lights can remain on. This will cause the battery to drain, especially if it is for an extended time like while at work or overnight. When you go to start your car, you may get a weak sound from your engine as it fails to turn over.
1) Leaving the Headlights On
Most modern vehicles have automatic lights that shut off after a few minutes, however, this is still the #1 reason that batteries die. The headlights use a lot of power and can quickly drain the battery, leaving you stranded.
Protect Your Battery
Some of these causes are preventable, like turning off lights and using accessories, while others rely on good maintenance, such as replacing old batteries and alternators. A CTEK smart charger can help keep your battery healthy and strong. The charging process can repair a damaged battery and maintain the charge at an optimum level.
Contact CTEK today to find out which smart charger is the right fit for your needs and vehicle. You can use our Charger Selection Tool to find out which CTEK charger is right for your vehicle.
