We’ve all occasionally left a light on and ended up with a dead battery. However, your battery shouldn’t die regularly. Most have a two to five year expected life and, with proper treatment, will last at least their expected life. If you’re wondering why your battery died (or died again), here are some things your local auto repair shop wants you to know.
Short Trips
Do you remember those wind-up flashlights we had as kids? The longer you wound it, the longer the light stayed on. Your car battery works in a similar way. You use your battery to start the car and then your car charges the battery when you drive. If you take many short trips, your car battery doesn’t have sufficient time to recharge and you end up draining it to the point that it needs to be replaced.
The Heat
Although most Floridians know that their car battery won’t last as long as it would in a more temperate climate and there’s little we can do to control the heat, you can protect your battery by parking your car in your garage. Anytime you have the option of keeping your car out of direct sunlight, do so. Your battery will stay cooler and last longer.
Electrical Issues
If you constantly have a dead batter and don’t take short trips and your car is garaged, chances are good that you have an issue in the car’s electrical system. The best solution, if this describes your situation, is to take your car to your auto repair shop for a vehicle check. Checking your car’s electrical system may take just a few minutes and a reason for the battery draining. Your auto repair shop can then provide you with an estimate for repair that should prevent the need for another jump or new battery.
Malfunctioning Charging System
This too will require a trip to your auto repair shop. One of the surest signs that your issue is with your alternator is if the car won’t even start with a jump. Keeping your car’s accessories off (radio, AC, chargers) can help get you to your car start the next time you need it too but it’s not foolproof nor will it help for very long.
If you’re searching for a reason you’re ending up with a dead battery or why your car seems to go through batteries at a remarkable pace, stop by Oldsmar Automotive at 3166 Tampa Road, we’ll do some diagnostics and provide you with an estimate for repair. We’re an ASE certified auto repair shop and ready to help you today. You can also call (727) 784-3501 for an appointment.
Leave a Reply