Imagine this – You have an urgent meeting at office and you are already late for work. You quickly slide into your car to drive your way to office, but uh-oh! – your car simply refuses to start. It’s not taking the charge because your car’s battery has suddenly gone defunct. But how did this happen? Everything was alright till last night. What could have led your car’s battery to drain off all of a sudden, within a span of few hours? Well, the reasons could be many.
The battery is the powerhouse of your car and one of the most important component of your vehicle. From sending power to the sparks plugs to igniting your car’s fuel, it plays a major role in the functioning of your car. Without a fully functional battery, none of the electrical systems within your car would work, resulting in flickering lights, weaken alarm system, or a completely non-responsive car that’s as good as dead.
There could be various reasons behind your car’s draining battery. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
1. You Didn’t Turn Off Your Car Properly
One of the most common reasons for quick battery drainage is leaving your car (or some of its parts) in an ‘on’ position for a considerable length of time – say an entire night. So, if you have left your car’s headlights or internal lights on while parking it at night (or even in the day) or forgot to close the trunk completely, you’ll end up draining its entire battery.
Most cars still require a manual effort to shut them down completely, so before you park your car for the day, make sure to switch its lights off and lock its doors properly, else you’ll end up significantly shortening your battery’s lifespan.
2. You Are Not Starting Your Car Often
Cars are made to rule the road, not to sit idle at homes or in garages. Lack of regular use can make your car’s battery drain out all its charge, turning it dead or non-functional. So, make sure to start your car at least once a week and run it for about 5-10 minutes. This will help you keep your car’s battery up and running for long.
3. Your Car is Running with a Faulty Accessory
Referred to as parasitic drain, a faulty senor or light within your car may also lead to a quick battery drain. So, if your car battery continues to drain even after it parked properly, with all its systems properly shut, you need to get in touch with a certified car expert for an immediate analysis. By performing a parasitic current draw test, the mechanic would be able to tell if your car is running with faulty accessories like damaged relay switch, alarms, headlights, computer module, boot, glovebox lights, or other electrical components, which are leading to higher than normal battery drainage.
4. There are Loose Cables and Corroded Battery Terminals
Over the time, your battery’s cables tend to become loose and your battery terminals start to get corroded, which may lead to poor battery charging and performance, and may cause your car’s battery to drain off quickly. Signs of loose cable or corrosion around the battery terminals include flickering lights, weak horn, or issues while starting the car. So, if your car battery is draining early, check its battery cables for any loose ends or signs of corrosion. However, to avoid shocks or damage to the vehicle, its best to seek expert help while dealing with car’s electrical system. Get in touch with qualified mechanics for quick, professional help.
5. Your Battery is Charging on a Faulty Charging System
Sometimes your car’s battery charging system, known as alternator, goes kaput and is not able to fully charge your car battery. This would lead to quick draining of your car battery. If your car is making unusual noises, you are witnessing flickering lights, or experiencing other unusual issues with your car, consider it as a clear indication that your alternator diode is defective. If the charge in your car battery drops down to zero due to fault in the alternator, your car wouldn’t start; you would have to jump start your car to take it to the garage.
6. You are Running Your Car on an Old, Worn-Out Battery
A car battery is typically made to last for only 5 years, after which it should be immediately replaced with a new one. However, weather conditions and average car usage are some of the other factors that decide how long your car battery can last.
If your car battery is showing a significant drop in the performance, check if it’s time to get a new one. Running your car on an old, worn-out battery can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. So if your battery is running out of its life, it’s important to get it replaced immediately.
7. You are Running Your Car in Extreme Temperatures
Extreme hot or cold weather conditions can cause lead sulphate crystals to build-up in the battery. This can take a toll on your car’s battery, significantly affecting its strength and performance. So, if you live in a country with extreme weather conditions like UAE and are facing frequent battery drainage issue, it is important to get your car’s battery checked and serviced at regular intervals. Always rely on expert mechanics for repair and maintenance of your car and it’s battery. With their experience and knowledge, they can help you keep your car and its battery in good condition, running for long.
8. Your Car is Taking Frequent Short Trips
The alternator recharges your car’s battery and makes up for all the charge lost during driving. But frequent short trips, every now and then, don’t give alternator the time to fully charge the battery. This can not only dampen the performance of your battery, but can also significantly reduce its life.
Tips to Prevent Your Car’s Battery from Draining Frequently
To keep your car’s battery healthy and to make it run for long:
- Drive your vehicle regularly, at least once in a week. It will not only prevent the battery from getting completely discharged, but regular driving will also help you keep your car tyres in shape and the engine lubricated.
- When leaving your car, make sure to switch off its headlights and other electrical parts properly. Ensure the radio and GPS are off too.
- Refrain from taking your car on multiple short trips throughout the day.
- Inspect your car’s battery regularly for any signs of damage or corrosion. You can also take expert help of professionals to keep your car’s battery free from dust and grim.
- Watch for all the warning signs. Flickering lights, weak horn and unusual noises are all an indication that your car’s battery is fast draining. So, if you notice any of these signs, get your car immediately checked by a professional to prevent further damage to your car’s battery.
- Schedule your car’s regular maintenance. Only trained professionals can thoroughly inspect your car to score out issues that may affect its performance. They can also provide you expert tips to help you maintain your car battery at home.
If finding a good and reliable car service centre in UAE looks like a daunting task, we at Vehpal can help! Having partnered with more than 50 certified service centres across UAE with highly experienced professionals, we can provide you complete on-spot assistance for your entire fleet of vehicles. Vehpal’s digital platform seamlessly connects car users with the best repair and service solutions and can cater to all your car service requirements, right from battery drainage issues to tyre repair and maintenance to breakdown assistance, mechanical, A/C, Electrical repairs, and more.
So, call us for reliable and hassle-free car service experience. Dial 800 834 725 (toll free) or visit www.vehpal.com. Expert help is just a call away!
