Why is my car battery draining?
If you find yourself with a flat car battery or you have noticed that your battery seems to be draining quickly, there might be an underlying problem in need of some attention.
Here at Mr Tyre, we’re here to guide you through the possible culprits for fast draining or dead batteries so you can try and resolve any unnecessary battery drain.
7 things that drain a car battery
Parasitic drain or parasitic draw
Even when your vehicle’s ignition is off, there are systems that are still a ‘parasitic draw’ on the battery’s energy reserves. These include components like the alarm and sensors, but also the radio can often be used and interior lights for when doors are opened, which all claim energy from the battery. As parasitic drains remove energy when the engine is off, the battery cannot replenish itself like it does when the engine is on. Some of these systems need to be on but if you’re finding excessive drain and it’s not some of the considerations listed below, it could indicate a fault somewhere that’s worth getting checked.
Extreme external temperature
We don’t often experience extreme temperatures in the UK, but when we do, it can have a negative impact on car batteries. Soaring hot weather or freezing cold chill can impact the entire car’s performance and even leave you with a dead car battery. This might not be so much of a problem for brand new batteries, but older and less hardy batteries may be affected negatively in extreme temperatures.
Ageing battery
Speaking of which, car batteries are less effective the older they get. If your battery is five years or older, it could be draining more easily than originally and may eventually lose its ability to charge fully when the engine is on. In the case of an ageing battery, it might be more convenient to replace your old battery with a new one.
Leaving lights switched on
Accidentally leaving headlights switched on can run down a battery, so make sure that you turn them off when leaving a car. Remember that some cars will not turn headlights off automatically, so it’s worth checking if you need to do this manually. Also, the systems that turn off the lights automatically can occasionally malfunction to leave lights on permanently, so keep an eye out for this.
Loose or corroded connections
Over time, vehicles are juddered and jostled by movement and this can cause connections to come loose. Corrosion can also impact connections as well. Damage to these connections can cause the battery to struggle to transmit the power it needs, so it’s worth keeping your eye on the quality of your battery terminals when you’re taking a look under the bonnet.
Faulty charging system
As you drive, the vehicle’s charging system is responsible for charging up the battery. However, if there are issues with the charging system this process will be impeded. For example, if a component called the alternator is not pushing enough charge due to a fault, this can affect the charging process. A free health check from Mr Tyre can detect faults such as this and provide a swift resolution.
Multiple short trips
Every time you start a car up, it drains power from the battery. If you’re in the habit of making many short trips, this could have a cumulative effect on draining the battery. The solution is simple – taking longer drives to charge the battery, or avoiding the car when it’s only a short trip.
How to check the health of your car battery
The best way to check the health of a car battery is to get a professional mechanic to take a look and diagnose any potential problems. This way you can be doubly sure that your battery is operating as it should. Some autocentres, including Mr Tyre, will run the battery health check for free.
Looking for a free battery health check? Here at Mr Tyre, we’re a leading autocentre for Central England and are experienced in checking the health of your battery, identifying any issues that might need addressing, including a persistently drained car battery or one that is simply struggling to charge up. Get in touch today to see how we can help.
