Whether you drive a new or older car, you may find that one morning when you are heading to the office for an important meeting, your battery just won’t start. You push the key fob, and nothing happens. You open the car door, but no interior light comes on. The key is in the ignition, but the engine doesn’t start. It’s official – you’ve got a dead car battery. How did it happen? Let’s look at 5 of the most common issues we see.
Related: 3 Signs Your Electrical System Needs Servicing
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Related: Battery, Alternator, or Starter?
This is the most logical place to start, especially if you can’t remember the last time you changed your battery. Despite their bulky, outward appearance, car batteries are very delicate. Even with all of the new innovations in technology at our disposal, the average car battery has a lifespan of 3-4 years. While this can differ depending on the driver, vehicle model, and usage of the vehicle, we highly recommend swapping out your battery as a preventative measure. Our driving habits, extra devices with chargers, and overall vehicle maintenance contribute to the life of the battery. This is normal and a simple fix.
Corrosion can impair the normal function of your vehicle’s electrical system and could damage your battery entirely. Leaving corrosion unattended for long periods of time will certainly make your situation worse. This should be addressed and cleaned right away. We recommend cleaning these cables by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with very hot water. After you have mixed the solution, get a toothbrush and some protective wear, to prevent splashback and to reduce the amount of damage to your skin. Once you are protected, use the bristles to polish in and around the corroded area. The battery cables themselves can also be dipped in the mixed solution as well. Battery cables may become loose over time and should be securely fastened to the battery at all times. Adjust the cables and check if the car starts.
Did you know that your battery is extremely vulnerable and susceptible to the outside temperature? That’s right. Although your engine and transmission are the top two components to your car, your battery is greatly affected the most in extreme weather. Extreme weather or fluctuation in temperature can lead to a build-up of lead sulfate crystals which causes longer battery charging times, short battery life, and even failure. Since this can affect the charging time, the battery may not reach 100% charged by the time you turn off the engine. If you drive a newer model of car, you may have what is known as a “battery sensor.” This special sensor detects the temperature of your car’s battery and allows your battery to increase or decrease the charging voltage depending on the vehicle’s needs. If you notice your car isn’t charging your battery properly or need help with your sensors, it is safer to get the help of a trusted professional than to risk losing power.
If you’ve tested the battery and you know it is working and fully charged. You see that your dashboard lights up, your headlights are operating just fine, but your car won’t start. Despite multiple attempts to start your car, your car is making sounds, there’s gas in the tank, but the engine won’t crank? What could this possibly be? At first, you suspect that it could be the starter, but something just feels off. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, it is safe to assume there may be a problem with your alternator while this is less common, it is possible the alternator is your problem. Have you noticed issues with your automatic windows or flickering lights? These can be signs of an issue with your alternator.
Sometimes, your car may not have any mechanical issues at all and the true cause of your car problems, could very well being your own doing. Here at AAMCO Utah , we understand. We are all human and we’re all prone to mistakes at times. Everyone has done the following mistake once or twice. We’ve all hopped out of our car at some point and forgot to switch that mirror light off. Or maybe your teenager borrowed the car and a passenger left a car door cracked all night. It happens to the best of us! Modern vehicles may alert you that a feature has been left on, but older models don’t necessarily have any warning system.
Battery problems begone! A dead car battery is not a fun experience, but you don’t have to go at it alone. No matter the issue at hand, we offer a wide variety of engine, transmission, and even battery services. We can always count on us to give you a jump start and focus on getting your car squared away. Never forget that when you visit one of our fine auto care centers, that you can always count on AAMCO Utah’s finest to help you get back on the road. Our quick and convenient services are custom-made and here for you at any time. Get quality auto care at affordable prices. Let us give you the peace of mind , knowing that AAMCO Utah has got your back.
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The post 5 Things That Can Drain Your Car Battery first appeared on AAMCO Utah Transmission Repair and General Car Repair.
