6 Things That Can Drain Your Car Battery

Have you ever tried to start your car and found it completely dead? A drained car battery can be seriously inconvenient, especially when you've got to get to work or do the school run. We've put together this handy list of six common causes of a dead battery, so before you start trying to get things going again, read on.

1. Leaving Your Lights On

If your battery is dead, check your lights. Many modern cars come equipped with lights designed to switch off after a certain length of time. If your car isn't that new, your lights might stay on until you turn them off... or until they completely empty your battery of juice.

As the alternator recharges the car's battery while it's running, you usually don't need to think about your battery packing it in during your commute. But the alternator can't work while your car's turned off, so any little electrical faults can spell disaster for your battery. The impact of these faults on your battery is known as "parasitic draw".
 
How do you prevent parasitic draws? Make sure your lights are off and every door - even the openings to your glove box and boot - is closed and locked before you leave the car.

Over time, the terminals connected to your battery can just become loose or corroded. This might make your car difficult to start, or can cause a stall which could damage the electrics in your car. You can prevent corrosion and its assorted problems by regularly inspecting and cleaning your battery terminals - or enlisting one of our experts to help.

Extreme heat or cold can affect your battery. While newer batteries tend to hold up better against high or low temperatures, an older battery can be seriously weakened or completely drained in extreme conditions. If your battery's simply not holding up against the elements, arrange for a service with a qualified mechanic. 

If the alternator isn't recharging your battery as it should, the battery won't have enough energy to run, or maybe even to start. If your car won't start after you've been driving, there's a chance your alternator is to blame - and if that's the case, it's time to call the experts. 

Starting your engine might seem as simple as turning a key, but it actually sucks a huge amount of energy from your battery. Thankfully, with alternators, our car batteries regain the charge they need to get moving. But if you're often going on shorter drives, your car's alternator might not be able to recharge in time.

For a reliable mechanic Ballina locals can trust, look to K & T Mechanical. We cover everything from log book servicing and brake repairs to courtesy cars and motor rebuilds, so whatever you need, you'll know our friendly, experienced technicians are on hand to deliver. Give us a call today on 02 6686 4852 or get in touch with us online.