Your car battery is an integral component of its electrical and electronic systems, helping power ignition as well as acting as a surge protector.
However, its charge can erode over time when not used frequently.
Your battery’s charging system relies on an alternator, a component which converts mechanical energy into storeable electricity in order to charge your battery.
The condition of the battery
There are various factors that can reduce a battery’s lifespan, including how often and at what temperature you start your vehicle and the temperature in your area. But the primary determining factor for how long a car battery can remain functional is how well its charging system functions.
As such, your car should run for around half an hour before you’ll need to switch it off and recharge its engine – although that might not be sufficient if you drive frequently or live in extreme heat/cold environments.
First and foremost, make sure that you regularly inspect the condition of your battery. Doing this once every month should help ensure everything is in good order and there’s no corrosion on its terminals.
As part of your effort to extend the lifespan of your battery, make sure that its connections are tight and clean – this can be accomplished using a stiff bristled brush and a mixture of one part baking soda to three parts water.
Corroded battery connections can reduce its ability to charge, so a wire brush should be used to eliminate corrosion.
Leave your headlights off – this can quickly drain your battery! Additionally, avoid any devices which draw power from the vehicle when not in use like stereo components and phone chargers that draw from its batteries when turned off – such as stereo receivers and phone chargers.
Parasitic drain is another common battery issue that can significantly decrease performance, often as a result of factors like an outdated alternator or inadequate charging system.
Issues with car batteries aren’t an unusual occurrence, but when they do arise they should be treated immediately. When this occurs you should bring your vehicle in for inspection and potential replacement if needed.
There are various strategies you can employ to keep your battery charged when not driving your car, helping extend its lifespan and decrease how long it takes for recharge after long trips. These tips should allow you to maximize battery life while decreasing recharge time after extended excursions.
The alternator
Car batteries are small devices used to power electrical accessories in your vehicle as well as your engine when you turn on or turn off the ignition or key.
A battery only holds so much energy, which is why it requires a constant source of electricity in order to recharge itself. Your car’s charging system includes an alternator as a means to convert mechanical energy from your engine into AC current that your battery can use.
Your alternator’s stator and rotor act like magnets to transform mechanical energy into alternating current, which is then converted to direct current (DC) by your voltage regulator before being sent directly to your battery. As soon as you turn on your car’s starter motor, this voltage drops from 14 volts down to 12.6 volts as more electricity is drawn by it to turn over its engine.
Your alternator plays an essential role in keeping your battery charged up, enabling it to start the engine. When its ability decreases, however, its charge will drop and lead to what is known as a flat battery condition – something which can be avoided by installing a battery charger – an affordable accessory which uses mains current to replace lost electricity through positive and negative leads clipped onto respective battery posts.
Typically speaking, a quality alternator will charge your battery up to 80% full in two hours when driving 55 miles per hour or greater; however, the time it takes for full charging may depend on various factors including driving hard or power-hungry accessories consuming power.
If your car is idle for several hours, it will take several hours for its battery to charge as the alternator produces less electricity. Meanwhile, its energy will continue to be drawn off as you use its fuel pump, computer, and cooling fans.
Idealy, leaving your car running is best to charge its battery while on the move – this is due to its electrical components consuming electricity while driving and the alternator being the sole source of a consistent flow of AC current that your battery can rely on for sustained charging.
The climate
Climate is the average weather condition over an extended period of time; this could range from decades, centuries, or millennia.
Climate is affected by many different elements, including ocean currents, land masses, the Sun and atmospheric chemistry. When combined together they form complex cycles with feedback loops which alter weather patterns significantly.
Changes to our climate can have significant ramifications on many aspects of daily life, such as temperature, rainfall, drought and storms.
This transition also causes sea levels to rise and the melt of ice sheets and glaciers due to human emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
Pollutant emissions come from various sources such as energy production, industry production, transport and agriculture as well as land use practices. They contribute to global warming by trapping more of the Sun’s heat onto Earth.
Due to these effects, climate is changing faster than at any point in history; this phenomenon is known as global warming and it already has devastating repercussions worldwide.
As a result of these changes, we may see many negative repercussions, such as flooding, crop failures and severe winter weather in certain regions. Furthermore, it could even lead to the extinction of many plant and animal species in certain regions.
In order to protect our environment, it is vitally important that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in sustainable solutions. We can do this by decreasing our use of fossil fuels and increasing energy efficiency.
Our emissions are on the rise due to our continued dependence on fossil fuels for driving cars, cooking meals, heating homes and factories, producing electricity, as well as deforestation of land which releases greenhouse gasses such as methane into the atmosphere.
Parking your vehicle in a garage when possible will help to keep the air around your car warmer and less frigid than outside, while wind chill can damage battery power if left exposed to cold conditions with strong winds.
The battery light
Your car’s battery serves as the main source of electrical energy for its electrical system, including ignition system, air conditioning, radio, power windows and other accessories. When its charge runs out it may cease functioning entirely – in such an instance your dashboard battery indicator light may illuminate to notify you.
If the battery light illuminates while driving, this could be a telltale sign that your alternator isn’t providing adequate charging to your battery. As this poses a potential safety threat, all non-essential electrical components should be turned off, including stereo systems, heated seats/mirrors, phone chargers and any other extra devices that might be drawing power away from charging up properly – such as stereo systems, heated seats/mirrors and phone chargers.
Another possible cause for the battery light to come on may be due to corrosion or grime in the terminals, which is especially prevalent with older batteries and can easily be remedied by cleaning off these terminals.
However, if the battery light remains illuminated even after cleaning the terminals and checking fluid levels, it might be time for a new battery. Your car dealer can help determine which battery best fits your vehicle.
Once you have a new battery, it’s important to make sure it stays charged so it doesn’t run out too soon. A smart trickle charger is a good way of maintaining its charge over time – use one every few weeks or so!
Regular alternator checks should also be carried out to ensure it generates sufficient electricity to charge your battery and other systems in your vehicle. If an alternator starts malfunctioning, this presents a serious safety concern that should be rectified immediately.
Many have heard it is beneficial to leave their car running for at least 30 minutes after jumping starting its battery, though this advice only holds if its condition is excellent. Otherwise, leaving your car running longer than recommended could damage its engine significantly and should only be done if your battery is in great shape.
After you jump start a battery, it is advisable to drive around for some time in order to allow the battery time to recharge itself and avoid overheating, which could trigger your car’s battery light.