In the age of “fake news,” you must be aware of more made-up headlines. All information shared on the World Wide Web must be double-checked. A simple Google search and reading through several accredited sources will yield the correct answer.
But what if you’re incredibly busy and have no time to research? If you’re looking to double-check some common misconceptions about car batteries better to clarify them than the experts? Us!
Jump-Starting A Dead Battery Fully Recharges It
Unfortunately, this is not true. A battery has a limit on how much energy it can store before it becomes depleted.
When you jump-start a battery, you give it a temporary boost. When you jump-start a car’s battery, you do not provide the battery itself a new charge but allow the current from an external source to charge the starter motor.
When jump-starting a car, you charge the starter motor. When you’ve provided enough of a load, the starter motor can crank the engine over and get it going.
Jump-starting provides a temporary boost to start the engine but does not fully recharge the battery. It’s best to use a battery charger for a full recharge or replace it if needed.
Here’s how to jump-start your vehicle.
Disconnecting The Battery When The Car Is Off Saves Power
Modern cars and other vehicles have various electronic systems that draw power even when the engine is turned off.
Systems that operate when the car is switched off include:
- the clock,
- security systems,
- computer memory,
- and other components.
These functions need a constant power supply to maintain their settings and functions.
If you disconnect the battery, it will interrupt the power supply to these systems, effectively preventing them from draining power from the battery when the vehicle is not in use.
While this will prevent power from being drained, your car’s battery constantly loses charge, even when it is stagnant. It’s estimated that if stored in a cool and dry environment, a lead-acid battery will lose up to 5% of its charge per month if not hooked up to a smart-trickle charger.
However, it’s strongly recommended that you don’t disconnect your battery to save charge. When you do, you reset the vehicle’s essential features.
Running The Car Will Recharge A Dead Battery.
While your car’s alternator does charge the battery while the engine is running, the simple fact is that its primary function is to provide power to the vehicle’s electrical systems and accessories.
This means that your alternator’s power supply to the battery is limited and will not fully recharge it.
If you do need to ensure that more power from the alternator is going to the battery, you will need to ensure that the engine isn’t operating under a heavy load. An example is driving at high speeds or using multiple electrical accessories inside the car.
But even under perfect conditions, your alternator’s charging process while driving will take significant time. It will require several hours of continuous driving to fully recharge a severely depleted battery, which may not always be doable.
Also, it’s worth noting that a deeply discharged battery may need a higher voltage and current than what your car’s alternator can provide. It is always best to recharge your battery with the proper equipment, such as a smart trickle charger.
You Can Use Any Battery For Your Car
This needs to be corrected. Every vehicle designed and sold in the market will have unique specifications, including the electrical system.
Your car’s battery plays a vital role in this system, providing the necessary power to start the engine and run various electrical components.
Using a battery that matches the specifications recommended by the vehicle manufacturer ensures compatibility and reliable operation.
Different cars require batteries with specific sizes, capacities, and terminal placements.
Specific Sizes
The battery’s physical dimensions, which include length, width, and height, must match the available space in the vehicle’s battery compartment. Luckily, there are many different types of sized batteries.
Battery Capacity
A battery’s capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah). Ah determines how much electrical energy it can store within the battery.
Cars and vehicles with larger engines and more electrical accessories will require higher-capacity batteries to meet their power demands. If you fit the wrong battery with insufficient capacity, it will be challenging to start the engine, the headlights will be dim, and you will experience other electrical problems.
Terminal Placements
For proper connection, the positions of your battery’s terminals must align with the vehicle’s electrical system. For several reasons, many cars need their terminal placements and polarities (positive and negative terminals) in a specific place.
Using a battery with incorrect terminal placement or polarity will lead to electrical issues.
Cold Weather Kills Car Batteries
We’ve discussed this before, but cold weather will only reduce a battery’s capacity and performance, making it harder to start the car. It won’t necessarily kill the battery.
When storing your battery over winter, keep the terminals clean, wrap them warmly, and attach them to an intelligent trickle charger.
Turning Off Electrical Components Saves Battery Life
As mentioned, turning off non-essential electrical components can reduce the load on the battery. Most modern cars are designed to handle normal electrical loads without draining the battery excessively.
If you’re driving to conserve your battery’s life, it might be time to replace it.
A New Battery Doesn’t Need Maintenance
Most modern car batteries are sealed and maintenance-free (SMF) and require minimal attention. However, checking the battery terminals for corrosion and ensuring they’re tightly connected is still essential.
These checks can be performed in minutes.
You Can’t Overcharge A Car Battery
Overcharging a car battery can damage it, leading to reduced performance and a shorter lifespan.
If you plan on recharging your battery, you must use a smart trickle charger with an automatic shut-off.
You can visit one of our local battery Xpress centres for those still looking for assistance with their car’s battery.
