Dead Car Battery

The typical car owner doesn’t give their battery much thought until the day comes when the engine won’t turn over and they find themselves unable to drive their vehicle. Sometimes it happens unexpectedly or overnight if for example you inadvertently drain the battery by leaving your headlights on. Most of the time, however, there are signs that it may be time to get a new car battery. You can avoid getting stranded by a dead car battery if you know what to look for.

Signs That Your Car Battery Is Dying

In time, every car battery becomes chemically depleted and loses its ability to store a charge. Before this happens, however, you may notice that your car is becoming more difficult to start until one day when it won’t start at all. If it is consistently taking you more than one try to get your car started, it could be time to change the car battery.

The battery warning light on your dashboard can alert you to problems before your battery actually dies. If the battery light suddenly lights up while you are driving, it does not mean that your battery is dead, but it does indicate that there is a problem with your charging system such as a faulty alternator belt. Your battery has a reserve capacity which will allow you to continue driving with the battery warning light on, but you will want to get your car to a service center before your battery fails and you wind up stranded.

Why Is My Car Battery Dead?

There are a number of potential ways your battery can be drained or lose its ability to hold a charge. If you try to start your car only to find your car battery dead, it can be due to one or a combination of the following reasons:

• You Left Your Lights or Radio On – Some cars turn off your headlights automatically once the engine is off. Others make an irritating sound when you try to exit the car with your lights left on. Unfortunately, not all cars are equipped with such battery saving features. If you leave your headlights on overnight or for an extended period of time with the engine off, you run the risk of coming back and finding a dead car battery.  Forgetting to turn your radio or even your interior light off can kill your battery as well. The reserve capacity on most batteries is not enough to where you can leave your headlights or radio on with the engine off for more than a couple of hours and still have enough juice left to start your car.
• Charging System Issues – Your vehicle’s charging system creates electrical energy and maintains the charge in your battery. Its main components are the alternator and the voltage regulator.  A faulty alternator can prevent your battery from being recharged and a voltage regulator that is not functioning properly can result in your battery getting overcharged or damaged.
• The Age of Your Battery – Car batteries break down over time. The typical life expectancy of a car battery is between 4 and 5 years. The date of manufacture can be found on every car battery either stamped on it or on an attached label.  For example, you may see a sticker with B9 on it which means the battery was made in February of 2009. The letter indicates the month (A for January, B for February, etc.) and the number is for the year.
• Extreme Cold – Harsh winter temperatures can lead to the untimely demise of your car battery. It takes more power to get your engine started when the weather outside is below the freezing point. If you live in an area where winter weather can be severe, be sure you buy a battery with a high cold cranking amp rating.
• Extreme Heat – When you think dead battery, you might imagine freezing cold temperatures and a foot or two of snow on the ground. What you may not know is that hot weather and extremely high temperatures are just as bad for your car battery if not worse.  When subjected to high heat, the water in your car battery can evaporate and cause the battery to fail.

Can I Bring My Dead Car Battery Back to Life?

Not all car batteries that become discharged have to be replaced so you may be able to jump start the battery or get it recharged. Before you call for help, though, make sure the battery is actually dead. The connection between the battery cables and the battery terminals can become loose or obstructed by corrosion. You might be able to simply tighten the connections or clean the terminals and avoid a much bigger hassle.

If cleaning and/or securing the cables to the terminals does not allow you to start your car, depending on the age and condition of your car battery, you may still be able to recharge it. You’ll need a jump start from another vehicle or access to a battery charger in order to do so.

Checking the Battery Cable Connections

Before you declare your battery dead, pop the hood and locate the battery. Check to make sure the battery cables are securely connected to the terminals. If you notice a loose connection, you will need a wrench in order to tighten it. Make sure you don’t over tighten, as doing so could cause damage to the battery.

Cleaning the Battery Terminals

When examining your battery connections, you may notice a white, powdery build up around the terminals. Even a small amount of corrosion can interfere with the connection between the cables and the terminals preventing your car from starting. Clean the cables as well as the battery terminals then replace the cables and try starting your car.

Jump Starting a Car Battery

Jump starting a car battery is not overly difficult, but it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. It also requires a set of jumper cables and another vehicle. Not all batteries can be jump started, though. If your battery is cracked, frozen or has bulges, call a tow truck instead.

Using a Car Battery Charger

Battery chargers provide an alternative to jump starting your battery. Most will give you the ability to get your car started right away or charge the battery within a few hours. You can use a battery charger at home with any 3 prong outlet. They are typically sold in auto parts stores with prices starting at under $100. If you buy one, make sure it is made specifically for car batteries and thoroughly read the manual that comes with it before using.

Replacing a Car Battery

Unfortunately, sometimes the only way to deal with a dead car battery is to replace it. Your battery may no longer be able to hold a charge. The battery may be damaged or have cracks in it. in which case attempting to jump start it would be extremely dangerous.

Dealing with a Dead Car Battery

Going out to your car and finding your car battery dead can be frustrating and inconvenient. Turning off your headlights and other electrical accessories when the engine is off will also save you from accidentally draining the battery. If you include a check of your battery as part of your maintenance routine and pay attention to any signs that the battery may be on its last legs, you can replace your battery before it dies. You may be able to recharge a dead car battery by jump starting or using a battery charger, but depending on how old your battery is and the condition it’s in, you may have to bite the bullet and get a new one.