Reasons Your Car Battery Dies And What To Do About It
if you drive a gas-powered car, its battery provides the energy to turn your starter motor, crank the engine and get it running. it also powers components like onboard computers, clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off.
batteries are compact, reasonably priced and provide a strong current to get your car started in all types of weather conditions. but they do eventually wear out a process that can be accelerated by things like cold weather, leaving the lights on or only driving short distances. lets look at how the battery works, and the problems that can befall it.
Why Does Your Battery Go Bad
most drivers dont realize their battery is going bad until their vehicle wont start. here are some of the many ways that batteries can fail.
leaving the lights on after shutting the car off
your headlights are a huge drain on the battery. without the engine running, the alternator cant recharge your battery. leave the lights on long enough, and youve got a dead battery. this can also happen if you leave the interior lights on, or if the trunk doesnt close completely.
Signs Your Cars Battery Is Dying
A failing batterys symptoms might be attributed to problems with other components, such as the starter, alternator, or other electrical parts. However, for our purposes here, we will assume all the listed symptoms are battery related.
Although a new battery failing is not unheard of, the older your battery, the more likely one of our warning signs below indicates it is failing or dead.
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What To Do When You Need Roadside Assistance In Richmond Hill
Simply contact Sparky Express and get roadside assistance in Richmond Hill, Ontario, immediately! We are available via telephone at -819-0490, or, you can book an appointment online, right here on this page. When you book our roadside assistance online, just give us the address or location where your car is located, and we’re coming to help you in minutes.
Conventional Batteries Vs Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries
AGM batteries use a bit of technology from the aerospace industry. They are more compact and lighter than conventional car batteries and are literally maintenance-free. Although they still use lead plates surrounded by an electrolyte solution, a glass-mat separator is between the lead plates. These fiberglass mats attract the electrolytes and store them in a dry state. As the need arises, the electrolytes transfer to the lead plates to create a charge.
Because of the glass-mat construction, AGM batteries discharge slower than conventional ones. In other words, they retain their charge longer. This makes them ideal for todays highly technological vehicles with many devices and electronics. AGM batteries also recharge more quickly than conventional batteries. Furthermore, because of the tighter packing of the battery elements, there is much less vibration than in conventional batteries. This design reduces wear and tear.
To sum up, the average AGM battery costs more, is more efficient, requires less maintenance, holds more charge longer, and will outlive a conventional battery by two to three years.
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A Sudden Slower Start
When temps drop below 20 degrees, generally any cars starting cadence will slow down. Get below 0 and it gets even slower. If you notice this behavior suddenly and the temperature hasnt dropped a slow, dragging start suddenly begins, get your battery tested as soon as possible, and dont ignore it. Eventually, the car will not start.
If a slow starting battery seems to be able to take a charge and test fine, its likely that a parasitic drain or draw is discharging the battery while the vehicle sits, and the electrical system will need to be looked at.
Signs of a Bad Starter or Alternator vs. a Car Battery
A bad alternator will exhibit many of the same signs of a dead car battery: dim headlights, electrical issues, difficulty starting, and a frequently drained battery. An alternator, however, will often have its own alternator light on the dashboard. Also, your car may experience unusual rattles and sounds. If youve replaced your battery or are thinking about it, it may be a good idea to check your alternator at the same time.
A bad starter, however, has a whole other set of symptoms. When you try to turn the key, for example, youll often hear a single click rather than a few rapid clicks. You wont be able to crank the motor. You might hear a grinding noise or even see smoke when attempting to start it.
Of course, sometimes a battery is replaced and these other problems continue youll want to ask your mechanic and continued issues.
How Long To Charge With A Charger If Car Battery Is Dead
There are different chargers. The speed of charging depends much on the amps the charger is capable of showing. Usually, the best option is charging at lower amps and it will take around 8 hours to recharge the battery.
But make sure there are no drains and other problems. And also the battery is younger than 5 years. Otherwise, charging won’t help and next day you will probably have the same problem.
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What To Do When Your Car Battery Dies
You just loaded up your car with groceriesincluding plenty of frozen stuffon a sweltering summer day. As usual, the shopping takes longer than expected, so now youre pushing it to get home, unload the groceries, and get the kids to their piano lessons on time. You stick the key in the ignition, andoh no! A crazy day just got worse. You hear that dreaded errrr-errrrr-errrr of the engine, but it just wont start. You try again. Same thing. What now?
Most of us have had the experience of having our car battery die at a very inconvenient time. In this article, well talk about how to tell if your car problem is really triggered by a dead battery and if so, what to do about it.
Why do cars need batteries?Batteries provide a dose of power to the starter, which can, in turn, crank the engine. It can also keep accessories running in the car even when the engine is off, which is why you can turn on your cars interior lights before you rev up the engine or turn the car off and sit listening to the radio in the comfort of your vehicle while your kids are finishing their aforementioned piano lessons.
Why do car batteries die?Here are a few leading causes of battery failure.
- TimeMost batteries last three to five years. If your battery is coming close to the three-year mark, have it tested regularly so it doesnt die when you least want it to.
The clips of the jumper cables should be placed in the following order:
Is It Possible To Jumpstart A Completely Dead Battery
When a battery dies, how do you start it up again? After your battery has died, park your vehicle near another vehicle with fully charged batteries. Both cars must have the ignition turned off, and both jumper cords must be connected to the same computer. Two cars coming at the same time should be kept at a safe distance.
A drained battery can make driving in a car that is not well-maintained extremely difficult. When your cars battery dies, you immediately think of starting it, but you are unsure what to do when it does. When you have a dead battery, park your vehicle near another vehicle with fully charged batteries. You can expect the process to take between two and ten minutes on average. To be successful, some types of vehicles can take up to 30 minutes to complete. A large semi-tractor can successfully kick a tired engine. You can recharge a dead battery many times with thick jumper cables and large copper wires.
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How To Check If Car Battery Is Dead
First: when you turn on ignition, some lights are on, but they are not as bright as they should be.
Second: when attempting to start the car, you hear a whining noise instead of rotating starter.
Third: After jump-starting the engine, it works, but if you turn it off quickly, you can’t start it again with your battery.
Fourth: There is an error occurring on dashboard like ‘Check Engine’ or battery error.
Why Do Car Batteries Die
The list of issues that can cause a car battery to die is so long as to approach neverending, but virtually every battery killer out there can be shoehorned into the three basic categories of battery problems, electrical system problems, and simple user error. Some of these can be dealt with at home, and others will probably require a visit to your mechanic, but theres no way to know for sure until you roll up your sleeves and dig in.
Its also important to note that when most people talk about a battery dying repeatedly, they are talking about a situation where the vehicle wont start after it has been parked for any length of time. If your battery seems to die while youre driving down the road, its more likely that you have some type of problem with the charging system .
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How To Safely And Quickly Recharge A Dead Car Battery
- Duration: 10-30 minutes
- How often: As needed
Whether youre on the road or still in your own driveway, realizing your car battery is dead is always an inconvenience. The risk of finding yourself with a dead battery is higher in the winter, since the cold temperatures can be very harsh on your vehicle.
If you end up with a dead battery, whatever the season, follow these tips to safely recharge it.
- Difficulty: Easy
What Shortens A Conventional Car Batterys Life
A conventional car batterys multi-plate design allows for the shaking and vibrating of plates as the car drives along the road. All that jostling of the plates and sloshing of the electrolyte solution creates wear and tear.
Moreover, the electrolyte solution can leak out of the battery or boil out if the alternator malfunctions and overcharges the battery. Reduced levels of the battery solution can expose the lead plates, leading to corrosion and reduced battery efficiency.
Extreme temperatures can also shorten a batterys life and performance.
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Let Customers Speak For Us
The tech came very quickly when I needed a car jump. He then explain what the issue was, and also gave me a solution. He stayed until my car was charged and further explained what I can do in the future. Also this is the CHEAPEST service I have found for the Durham region with AMAZING QUALITY!
Will always recommend this business for anything to deal with cars!
Danny was on time and very proficient In and out in less than thirty minutes. Careful with my wheels and placed them in the garage where i wanted them. A big thank you!
Danny arrived on time as promised, boosted the battery and gave a good assessment on the need for a battery replacement.
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Top notch service all around. Quality work and very responsive.
Thank you Danny! Fast ,reliable a real pro. Would definitely recommend/ use sparky for any car issues in the future.
Simple, fast, great communication. Exceeded my expectations.
Danny, thank you so much for helping out today. We are not from Canada, this was a great experience! YOU went far over and beyond a battery jump! You helped me out with gas, checked alternator, and the vehicle system. Plus you are super cool and kind! I appreciate all of your help and I highly recommend you and your services! You’re a warrior! Thank you so much! Take good care!
How A Car Battery Recharges
Although a reaction within the battery provides an extra burst of electric power to start the engine, a battery merely stores electric energy. An alternator is a key component in recharging and maintaining a batterys charge.
Once the engine runs, the alternator siphons off some of the engine output via a belt and pully. Thus, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. It then transfers that electric energy to the battery to recharge it.
A healthy new battery can repeat the discharging-charging process tens of thousands of times. However, it will eventually lose its capacity to recharge. Therefore a conventional battery will fail in three to five years under average conditions.
Heres the catch: A conventional batterys core efficiency lies in starting the engine. It will produce a trickle current to keep the headlights, radio, and so forth running for a limited period after the engine disengages. However, the battery is not engineered for that. Therefore, whatever charge is in the battery when the engine stops rapidly runs out, like the battery in your flashlight.
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What To Do When Your Car Battery Dies In The Middle Of Nowhere
What To Do When Your Car Battery Dies In The Middle Of Nowhere
When your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere, the most important thing to do is reach out for help from other vehicle owners.
Often, we dont know much about that place in the middle of nowhere, but other car owners know much better than you.
With the help of someones car, you can jump-start your dead car battery.
If you have your friends or someone with you, push start the vehicle also helps you when your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere.
Getting service for your car from a professional is also possible if your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere.
Using your smartphone, you can easily connect with the nearest car service shop that can give you roadside service.
How To Choose The Right Car Battery
Your car battery is one of your electrical system’s most critical parts, so getting the right battery replacement is essential. But car batteries aren’t universal, and picking the right one can be confusing. So, what should you look for when it’s time to replace your battery?
First, your battery has to physically fit into your car’s battery tray. Batteries can vary in size! Consult your owner’s manual for battery size guidance.
Second, you want to be sure that you’re choosing a battery that will be powerful enough for your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual and see what it suggests is the right number of cranking amps and choose a battery that fits within those parameters.
Third, you may need to consider cold-cranking amps or the amount of power it takes to turn over the engine in freezing temperatures. This is especially important if you live in a colder climate. It can make the difference between your car dying or starting on a cold winter day.
Finally, you’ll need to decide whether a maintenance-required or a maintenance-free battery is the best option for you. While a maintenance-required car battery, which requires regular electrolyte monitoring and top-offs, is cheaper on the front-end, maintenance-free batteries are a lot more hassle-free and don’t need much attention. Ensure you’re ready for the commitment if you decide to save money and go for the cheaper option.
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Signs Your Car Battery Is Dead
No one wants to be stuck in a driveway or parking lot with a completely dead car battery that wont start again. A battery typically lasts between three and five years, depending on where you live, how often you drive the car, and your make and model. Many car owners may not realize how often they need replacing until major issues arise.
Can you get another year after jumping your battery? Were going to discuss how to tell if the car battery is dead as well as what to look for when trying to figure out if its completely gone.
How Much Does A Battery Replacement Cost
Compared to other vehicle repairs, changing out a battery is relatively inexpensive. But how much it costs depends on exactly what your needs are, and what type of battery you buy. There are over 40 different battery types on the market, all made by different manufacturers.
Traditional lead/acid batteries are around the cheapest youll find and can be bought for between $65 to $130. Absorbent glass mat batteries cost around $200 and these are better suited to powering sophisticated electronic systems in luxury vehicles. The more reliable deep-cycle batteries such as those found in RVs and boats can cost at least $200. At the top end of the market are lithium-ion batteries and these have a starting price of $1,000.
Replacing the battery isnt a time-intensive job so labor costs are kept low. A mechanic may charge you anywhere from $10 to $100 in labor to replace a battery, depending on if anything else needs doing at the time. To save money on labor, it is a job you can do yourself, but instructions need to be strictly followed to avoid crossing the battery terminals, causing the polarity to reverse and shorting out your vehicles ECU, which can also be a problem if you select the wrong battery for your car.
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The Anatomy Of A Conventional Car Battery
All car batteries use lead-acid technology, as they have since 1859. Today, some conventional batteries provide removable caps for adding distilled water. Others are closed and dont require adding water.
In either case, they are composed of a series of lead plates alternating with plates of other materials. Surrounding the plates is an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. Engaging the ignition causes the electrolyte solution to react to the lead plates. Such a reaction discharges sufficient electric current to start the car.