Four Raylite batteries up for grabs

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FIVE CAR BATTERY DRAINS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Electronics and on-board accessories can be deceptively draining for your car battery. Here’s what you need to know.

Without proper knowledge and care, extended or careless use could mean serious damage to your car battery.

There will always be a small drain on the car battery drawn by certain on-board vehicle accessories, even when the engine is off. A clock on the dashboard, for example, needs to keep ticking. If a battery is properly maintained, this kind of energy loss shouldn’t permanently damage a battery.

Battery Centre stocks batteries from South Africa’s leading manufacturer and distributor of lead acid batteries, First National Battery. Here are Battery Centre’s tips to ensuring your battery keeps going for longer:

Off with the headlights

Leaving headlights on is the most common cause of battery drain. Depending on the strength of the battery, leaving headlights on for just a few hours could drain a battery enough to make it unable to start the engine. To avoid being stranded, always pay careful attention when leaving your car to ensure the headlights are off.

Don’t forget interior lights

Interior car lights are always helpful when gathering keys, bags or packets of groceries from the car when it’s dark, but this makes it particularly easy to mistakenly leave one of these lights on.

Another way of draining a battery through the interior light is by leaving a door or boot open even just slightly. If possible, change the settings on your interior light so it doesn’t automatically turn on when a door is open.

Modern vehicles have an audio alarm that engages when a car is locked with a door open – this is extremely useful in keeping all doors closed and the battery charged.

Mind the electronic parasites

Commonly referred to as ‘parasitic drain’, electronic devices left plugged in – and drawing power – from a USB or lighter port can significantly drain a battery. One small device may not seem harmful, but just two or three left charging over a prolonged period of time can draw enough power to impair battery functionality. Keep this top of mind when charging and unplugging devices in your car.

Know the invisible threats

Double checking that lights are off and devices unplugged is one way of preventing battery drain, but there are faults that aren’t visible without more comprehensive checks.

A faulty charging system can be detrimental to the car’s battery. This is intensified if the radio and lights are in use. Faulty alternators will either overcharge a battery, or consistently undercharge a battery, ultimately. Car starter batteries are not designed to be cycled (discharged and recharged frequently). They are designed to start the car and then the alternator will replace the current taken from the start during driving. Battery Centre will test your alternator free of charge.

Keep temperature changes in mind

Although winter cold is often associated with car battery problems, it’s actually heat that shortens battery life and causes major issues down the line.

“High summer temperatures and engine heat are major causes of battery deterioration, only to fail later on when the cold of winter sets in. With reduced capacity in low temperatures and increased power demand from heaters, de-misters and lights during winter, there’s a higher chance of battery failure,” says Marketing Director of First National Battery, Andrew Webb.

“The rule of thumb when it comes to batteries is: when in doubt, get it checked out,” he adds, recommending a quick battery check if you have any concerns.

“A free battery test at your nearest Battery Centre takes a matter of minutes and is a scientifically accurate diagnostic tool. If your battery is not the problem, our experts provide a comprehensive diagnosis and will assist in providing possible solutions,” says Webb, “Don’t leave it to chance – it’s simply not worth it.”

Battery Centre’s team of experts offer free battery testing, diagnostics, solutions and replacements. Find a Battery Centre near you. For more information on Battery Centre’s products and services, visit www.battery.co.za or call Battery Centre, toll free, on 0800 112 600.