Car’s can be tricky and our car’s battery can be even trickier. Identifying why your car battery keeps dying can make you want to pull your hair out but we are here with some tips on what to do, how to diagnose, and how to maintain a healthy battery!

What is causing your battery to die:

1. Have you accidentally left your headlights or a dome light on? If you leave a light on your battery will drain overnight – check for interior lights or headlights when exiting the vehicle. Some vehicle headlights tend to stay on longer than others but a faulty system may leave them on until you return to the vehicle.

2. Hot & Cold temperatures play a role in draining a battery, if your battery is strong, the weather won’t do any damage. But, if your battery is old and weak, the weather will kill it. That means it is time to replace your old battery with a healthy one!

3. Corroded or loose battery connections are known for killing batteries. If there is corrosion on your battery cables, bolts or battery itself, clean it with a battery-corrosion solution. Corrosion will prevent the charging system from charging up your battery when your car is not in use.

4. The charging system can be your issue, as well. If your vehicle tends to die while you’re driving, your charging system may be the problem. Loose, stretched belts or worn out tensioners can and will prevent your alternator from working properly.

Maintaining your batteries life can be as simple as 1, 2, 3! Stay on top of corrosion and clean your battery when necessary, battery connections should be snug and secure, and avoid leaving lights on when you exit the vehicle. Tip! If you are not using certain plug-in features, unplug them – everything you plug in will pull from the battery, eliminate unnecessary drains by unplugging things that are not in-use!   

It is always a good idea to stop in and have your battery tested if you are unsure where your battery’s life stands! Our service department can assist you with that with a quick appointment – schedule one here!