Why does battery keep dying

If your battery keeps dying, it may be time to replace it. While we want you as a customer, we don't want your business before you really need our products.

That's why we start by suggesting that your battery dying could be caused by infrequent use or infrequent maintenance. That typically covers a lot of the issues folks have and if they try to remedy those issues by simply replacing a battery with a new one, they may find themselves in the same situation again sooner than they'd like.

Before you decide to replace your battery, check the voltage level, which again, can be measured directly at the battery terminals with the engine off and should be at least about If the voltage level seems to be good, you can also measure it again with your engine running.

This will tell you the output of your alternator and it should be about If it is significantly lower than that, then your alternator probably isn't maintaining your battery and may need to be looked at more closely to see if the alternator or the belts powering it need to be replaced.

If you've checked your voltage level and alternator output and everything seems in order, you may want to consider having your battery tested. Batteries should only be tested after an attempt has been made to fully-charge them. Many auto parts stores and battery professionals will offer this service for free, so all you need to do is bring your vehicle or battery to them for testing.

Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide , and even extreme weather. Some of these problems are enough to kill a battery on their own, while others are usually coupled with a battery that is already weak or on its last legs. Car batteries are designed to power headlights, dome lights, and various other accessories whenever the engine is off, but they have a very limited capacity to do so.

That means if anything is left on after the engine is shut off, the battery will almost certainly die. Leaving the headlights on can kill a weak battery in the amount of time it takes you run a short errand like shopping for groceries, but even a small interior dome light can drain a battery dead overnight. So if you're dealing with a battery that goes dead over and over again, it's worth checking it out at night when it's dark out when a faint or dimmed dome light will be easier to see. Some newer vehicles are also designed to leave the headlights, dome lights, or even the radio on for a while after you shut the engine off and remove the keys.

When everything is working correctly, you can walk away from a vehicle like this, and everything will shut off on a timer.

If you come back half an hour or an hour later, and things like the headlights are still on, that's probably why your battery is dying.

If you don't see anything obvious, like headlights or a dome light left on, then the next thing to check is the battery itself. A lot of battery problems can be headed off with basic maintenance , and a poorly maintained battery won't hold a charge like it did when it was new. Battery cells should be topped off with distilled water, but going straight to the tap is usually fine depending on the quality of the water where you live. You can also test your battery with an inexpensive tool called a hydrometer, which allows you to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell.

Another way to check your battery is to use a more expensive tool called a load tester. This tool puts a load on the battery that simulates the draw of a starter motor and allows you to see both the loaded and unloaded battery voltage. If you do decide to pick up your own load tester, it's important to remember that batteries that are shorted internally can explode under the right conditions. This is why it's so important to wear protective gear when working around a battery. When you perform a visual inspection of your battery, you may notice corrosion around the battery terminals, cables, or connectors.

The corrosion may not even be noticeable in some situations, or you may see large white, blue, or green blooms of corroded material. If any corrosion is present between your battery terminals and cable connectors, it will interfere with the ability of the starter motor to draw current from the battery and the ability of the charging system to top the battery off.

Battery corrosion can be cleaned with baking soda, water, and a stiff-bristled brush. However, it is vitally important to avoid getting any baking soda inside the battery cells. Corrosion can also be removed from battery terminals and cable connectors with sandpaper or a specially designed tool. These tools usually take the form of wire brushes that are very easy to use. If you are able to trace your ground and power battery cables to the frame, starter and junction block or fuse box, you will also want to make sure that these connections are tight and free from corrosion.

If your car battery keeps dying over and over again, one of the simplest explanations is that there is some kind of drain on the system that persists after you remove the keys and lock the doors. Even if you've already ruled out obvious things like the headlights and dome light, there may still be a drain in your system.

The easiest way to check for a drain is to disconnect a battery cable and check for current flow. Doing otherwise runs the risk of blowing an expensive fuse inside your meter. Some meters also include an inductive clamp that can check for current flow without disconnecting anything. You can also check for a drain with a test light, which is less precise. This is done in the same way, by disconnecting the negative battery cable and completing a circuit between the negative battery terminal and ground.

If the test light illuminates, then there is some type of drain present in the system. The problem with using a test light is that it can be very difficult to tell how much of a drain is present just from the brightness of the light. Some of the most common causes of a parasitic drain include the trunk, glove compartment, and other lights that are on due to some type of malfunction.

But when your vehicle is running, your battery relies on the alternator to help it stay charged. If your car won't start after driving, there's a chance it might be your alternator.

Bring your car into a Firestone Complete Auto Care for a diagnostics check to find out what the problem could be. Cranking the engine takes a tremendous amount of power from your battery, but as mentioned previously, the alternator recharges your battery while the engine runs. Nothing lasts forever, including your car's battery. In some cases, your vehicle's battery could last up to five years, but that depends on where you live and how you drive.

Extreme temperatures, frequent short trips, and general everyday use could shorten the life of your battery to two to three years. If your car battery dies quickly, even after a jumpstart, it might be time for a new one. Are you tired of bringing out the jumper cables every time you need to start your car? Get your battery tested for free at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you.

We'll tell you how healthy your battery is and how much life is left in it. Additionally, our Complete Battery and Electrical System check can help locate the issue if something is draining your battery. And if it's time for a new battery, we'll install a reliable replacement battery. Blog Categories Blog Home.

What Drains a Car Battery? You left your headlights on. Something is causing a "parasitic draw. Your battery connections are loose or corroded. It's extremely hot or cold outside.