What Causes a Dead Battery?
It’s just a fact of life that some parts of your car will eventually need to be replaced. For example, the battery is a component that typically wears out faster than others. To avoid a situation where your battery is completely dead, it’s important to know why this happens and how the right car service can prevent it.
Most batteries in both new and used vehicles fail due to one of these reasons.
You Left Something On
If you leave your lights on, chances are good that your car will give you an alert. However, you may not get an alert if a dome light is left on or a door was only slightly ajar. If something is inadvertently running for a long time, your battery will be depleted.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Most batteries are designed to work no matter what climate they're in. However, when temperatures get extreme – either very high or very low – sometimes batteries have a hard time adapting, and they can fail.
Corrosion or Loose Connections
Sometimes, a perfectly fine battery is hampered by the connections. If they’re corroded, your battery may not be able to send a charge. If connections are loose, this will also prevent a battery from doing its job.
Last Legs
Another reason why a battery dies has to do with its age. Batteries generally only last up to five years, so if it keeps needing to be jumpstarted, it could be because it's old and needs to be replaced.
Fortunately, if a healthy battery dies, it should be fine with a jumpstart. An old battery, however, is another matter. To have yours looked at, schedule an appointment with our service center at Gary Lang Auto in McHenry.