Introduction
The rise of modern automotive technologies has drastically changed the way cars function today. Today’s cars are equipped with start-stop technology, advanced infotainment systems, and various smart features that make driving more enjoyable and safer.
However, all these innovations also put extra pressure on your car’s battery, particularly in some cases. Let’s explore how these modern features impact the car’s battery and more in the sections below.
Role Of Battery In Powering Modern Car Features
Your car’s battery is the primary source of electrical power for different functions in the modern vehicle. In addition to starting the engine, these batteries power essential systems, such as climate control, lighting, and onboard electronics.
The demand for automobile batteries has expanded dramatically as advanced features have proliferated, placing greater strain on batteries and increasing the risk of early failure.
Why Do Modern Cars Drain Batteries Faster?
Modern vehicles are designed for enhanced safety and enjoyment, and hence, they use more electrical components than older vehicles. Listed below are some of the reasons why the batteries tend to drain much quickly in modern cars:
1. Advanced Features And Electronics
Modern systems, such as infotainment buffering, keyless entry devices, and security sensors, are always on standby and use power. Even your parked vehicle may have devices that are consuming its battery power without your knowledge.
2. Start-Stop Technology
Vehicles with start-stop technology indeed consume less fuel than a standard vehicle; however, this also leads to frequent engine starts and stops. Thus, it puts more strain on the battery than a standard vehicle.
3. Enhanced Comfort Features
Every modern vehicle is equipped with features, such as lane assist, automatic climate control, and seat heaters. All these features do provide comfort, but they also add to the electrical load on the car’s battery.
4. More Onboard Computers
There is more than one ECU installed in a modern car. These ECUs are responsible for braking, steering, or stability control. ECUs are microcomputers that use electrical power to perform their functions, which adds to the strain on the electrical system.
5. Short City Drives
A short city drive is one of the significant factors limiting modern vehicles’ battery capacity. Short trips do not give alternators time to recharge, which often leads to a quicker need for car battery service.
Signs Your Car Battery is Dying
Here are the signs that indicate that your car needs a battery change service. Knowing the below may save you from a bad start to the day.
1. Slow Crank Of The Engine
One of the most common signs of a dying automobile battery is a slow engine crank. The engine may crank slower than usual or take longer to start. If it is happening, it means your car’s battery is losing its charge and is struggling to supply power.
2. Check Engine Light
If your car battery is dying, it will turn on the check engine light. Most modern vehicles have sensors that detect a low battery, which triggers the check engine light.
Hence, if the light comes on, you must have the car checked by a professional to determine the cause.
3. Electrical Issues
A failed automobile battery can cause a wide variety of electrical problems. The car’s headlights may look dimmer than usual, the power window operation may work slowly, or the gadgets and radio may malfunction.
4. Swollen Battery Case
In extreme temperatures, the battery cases can swell. If you notice a swollen case, it indicates the car battery is overheating and failing. Therefore, you should replace it immediately to avoid further damage to your vehicle.
5. Corroded Battery Terminals
You must regularly inspect the battery terminals for any corrosion, such as ash or white stuff. Corrosion can inhibit the electricity flow, cause problems, and reduce the battery’s efficiency. Although cleaning the corrosion can help, it happens frequently, which means the battery is dying.
6. Old Age
A typical battery lasts 3-5 years before completely dying off, depending on other factors as well. So, if your car’s battery is way past this time and shows any of the above signs, it is slowly dying.
So, always go for the best battery for car that offers a longer lifespan and reliable performance.
7. Frequent Jump Starting
If your vehicle requires regular jumpstarting, it is also an indicator that it is falling. A jump start can temporarily revive the battery, but it is not a long-term solution.
Hence, it is better to change the battery to avoid any further problems.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
By maintaining your car’s battery well, you can extend its lifespan and also avoid unexpected failures. You can follow these easy car tips to maintain the battery:
- Regularly clean the terminals to remove corrosion and dust.
- Keep connections tight to avoid intermittent failures.
- For lead-acid batteries, check the electrolyte levels.
- If required, top up with distilled water.
- Ensure you are driving regularly.
- When the engine is off, turn off all the lights and accessories.
- Try to park in covered or shaded areas.
- Get your battery checked periodically to catch issues early.
The above-mentioned steps can definitely extend the battery’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Making sure your vehicle is powered correctly can be complex. But the only thing that matters is a properly functioning battery. You can ensure your car’s battery is in top condition by having it checked regularly by experienced professionals, such as Dial-A-Battery UAE.
They can perform battery tests and, if replacement is required, help you with that. You can check the car battery price Dubai with them and choose the right battery for your vehicle.
