Aug 25, 2021 Pageview:849
You're late for work and rush into your car, only to find it won't start. The headlights illuminate poorly and the engine simply refuses to start. You realize that your battery is dead. But why? Let’s find out the reasons why your car battery discharges overnight.
Car battery discharge overnight:
1. Human Error:
This has necessarily happened to you at least once in your life: you come back tired from work and, automatically, you leave your car leaving the headlights on or closing the trunk improperly. The battery discharges overnight and the next morning your vehicle no longer starts. Most cars these days will alert you if the lights stay on, but not every car is forgotten.
2. Abnormal Consumption:
Abnormal consumption occurs when components in your vehicle continue to operate even after you have turned it off. It is normal for things to constantly draw on the battery - your battery is providing enough power for certain components to always stay operational, such as the clock, radio settings, or security alarms. However, if there is an electrical problem, abnormal consumption may occur and thus drain your battery.
3. Bad Loading:
If your charging system is not functioning properly, your car battery may discharge even while driving. Many vehicles use the alternator to run lights, radios, or other items, which can drain the battery very quickly if there is a problem like this.
You might find yourself stuck on the side of the road, with an empty battery that needs to be recharged. But this will not solve anything since, in the end, the charging fault will then continue to drain your battery.
4. Defective Alternator:
An alternator recharges the battery and operates certain electrical systems in the car, such as the lighting, radio, power windows, or air conditioning. If your alternator is defective, your battery will discharge and the result is simple: after one night, the car will no longer start.
5. Aged Battery:
If your battery is old, it may not charge fully. If your car often has trouble starting, the battery may be at the end of its life. You should replace the battery every 4-5 years. If the battery is old and you experience repeated start-up problems, you should consider changing the battery first.
Having a battery that won't hold a charge is frustrating, and pinpointing the problem can be difficult. Assuming the battery has not drained due to human error, you will need the help of a qualified mechanic who can diagnose your car's electrical faults and determine if they are due to the battery or other parts of the electrical system.
Car Battery Discharge Rate:
The discharge rate of a car battery is around 1% per day in the room temperature which is 0.25% / day at 50° F (10° C) and 1.5%/day 86° F (30° C).
Car battery discharged what to do?
It's always annoying to find that its battery is dead, and you certainly don't have time to charge it for hours before you go.
Jumper cables are a quick fix, but then you need to drive for a while before turning your engine off again to make sure your battery is charged.
Do I just push my car for it to start?
It is possible to push your car to start it. Ask for help from those nearby. However, this method only works with gasoline-powered cars, and your battery shouldn't be completely dead.
Put your car in second, disengage and then push. Once your car has picked up a bit of speed, turn your ignition key and slowly release your clutch. Almost at the same time, lightly press your accelerator. Your vehicle should roll, but if it doesn't, disengage the clutch again, accelerate and try again.
Make sure, of course, that no one is coming in front of you and that you are able to break. The ideal is to start downhill where there is no traffic.
If that is not possible, the next step is to use jumper cables. You will need another vehicle to supply you with power.
Start Using Jumper Cables:
You don't have to be an expert to restart a car with a dead battery. All you need is jumper cables that can be supplied with power from a second car (or battery).
Opinions differ on the dangerousness of the method. Sparks can be created, which can damage some electronics in recent cars if you do not connect the cables correctly. Follow this method to avoid any problems.
Observe The Following Points And You Will Be Able To Ride:
- Connect the positive clip of the jumper cable (red) to the positive terminal of your car battery.
- Connect the other clamp of that same cable to the positive terminal of the car battery that supplies you with power.
- Connect one of the clamps of the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal of the battery on the car supplying the power.
- Find a metal part on the discharged car that is unpainted. Attach the other black cable clamp to it, far enough away from your battery and moving parts like the fan.
- Make sure there is no one nearby before touching cables or cars.
- Start the engine of the car supplying the power first, to avoid draining the battery and ending up with two broken down cars.
- Then start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn't work the first time, wait a few minutes and then try again. The other car should be able to charge your battery a bit in the meantime.
- After both cars have started, let their engines run for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the cables in the reverse order of their installation: first those of the negative terminals, then of the positive terminals of the battery which is no longer flat, and finally of the one that served as the power supply.
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