What Are the Reasons for Frequent Battery Drain?
2 Answers
The reasons for frequent battery drain include: 1. Electrical leakage in the vehicle circuit; 2. Battery malfunction leading to weakened energy storage capacity; 3. Excessive engine starts due to short driving distances; 4. Unswitched electrical appliances after the vehicle is parked. Such situations can be diagnosed using a battery tester. Methods to distinguish genuine from counterfeit car batteries when replacing them: 1. Examine the battery's packaging—authentic batteries feature exquisite packaging with fine craftsmanship, complete with warranty cards and product manuals; 2. Check the battery's anti-counterfeit verification marks—genuine batteries come with anti-counterfeit labels where you can scratch off the coating to verify via phone call; 3. Assess the battery's weight.
My car battery keeps losing power, which is really annoying. After driving for many years, I've found several common causes: the battery might have reached its lifespan after four or five years, with severe internal sulfation making it unable to hold a charge; the generator could be faulty, not providing enough charging while driving, with output voltage below 14 volts; frequent short trips, like just a few minutes to and from work, don't give the engine enough time to fully charge the battery; some devices might not be turned off properly, causing power leakage, such as reading lights, air conditioning, or aftermarket GPS, which consume a lot of power; aging or corroded wiring can lead to static discharge, like the dome light staying on all night if the door isn't closed tightly. In winter, cold weather quickly reduces battery performance, while summer heat can easily damage it. I make it a habit to check all switches before parking, lock the doors, and avoid long-term parking. I use a charger for maintenance once a month, ensuring the leakage current doesn't exceed 30mA. When replacing the battery, I choose reputable brands for better quality and longevity. In short, fixing problems early saves money and hassle—don't wait until the car won't start and causes trouble.
