Having a dead car battery is one of those problems car owners dread. That’s why it’s a good idea to know the reasons for one and how to handle it. Keep reading this post by AMSOIL: National Synthetics in Acworth, GA. 

There are many reasons why car batteries may die out. Some have to do with electrical problems in the vehicle, and others can be because of user error, like leaving on the radio or headlights for extended periods. Usually, and with the proper care, car batteries should last from three to four years. Having a regular maintenance routine can extend battery life and keep it healthy for longer. Keep reading this post to learn how to prevent a dead car battery.

Signs of a Weak Battery

As they start losing their charge, batteries tend to show some distinctive signs. Keep the following signs in mind:

• Starting your car takes longer.
• Your interior and exterior lights are dim.
• The battery is leaking, has corrosion on the terminals, or is bulging.

If you notice these signs, take your car into a mechanic’s garage and ask them to check your battery. If it’s struggling to hold a charge, replace it as soon as possible.

Caring for your battery should be essential to your regular maintenance routine. Call National Synthetics at (678) 799-9062 for advice on the best products and maintenance tips for your engine. Once you’re ready, visit AMSOIL's online shop to place an order.

What Are the Causes of Short Battery Life?

As mentioned above, batteries should last between three to four years with the correct maintenance and care. That being said, there are a few reasons your battery might die out prematurely, like climate factors, driving habits, and user error. Let’s examine these reasons a bit more carefully.

Climate Factors

Climate, especially hot temperatures, can affect your battery life, as it can cause the liquids inside them to evaporate. To avoid this, park in places with good ventilation and shade, and avoid driving in the hottest hours of the day. This will help keep down the temperature inside your battery and prevent the liquids from evaporating.

User Error

User error is another common reason for a battery dying out. Some ways users drain out their battery are:

• By leaving their car’s lights on at night or for extended periods.
• Not letting the battery recharge after using electrical components.
• Using the stereo while parked.

Avoiding these practices is a great way to keep your car's battery in good condition.

Driving Habits

Lastly, a battery can drain out because of your driving habits. Commutes under 15 minutes can prevent your battery from recharging properly and shorten your battery life. The solution is to take a long drive a couple of times a week to allow your battery to recharge.

Use products like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil to keep your engine in good shape. Call National Synthetics at (678) 799-9062 for advice on maintenance routines, or visit AMSOIL's online shop to see their full range of products.

Steps to Jump Start a Car

A useful skill to have, especially as a car owner, is knowing how to jump-start a car. This can save you time as it’s something quickly done at home. To jump-start a car, you’ll need jumper cables and a second car or a jump starter. Follow these steps if you need to jump-start a vehicle:

1. Park your car close to the other one and ensure they don’t touch.
2. Turn both cars off.
3. Pop both hoods and locate the batteries.
4. Attach the red clamp (+) to the positive terminal to the dead battery. Then do the same to the working battery.
5. Next, clamp the black clamp (-) to the working battery’s negative terminal.
6. Clamp the other black clamp to a metal surface (unpainted) of the car with the dead battery.
7. Turn on the car with the working battery and then the one with the dead one.
8. Remove the cables in reverse to how you clamped them.
9. Run both engines for a few minutes.
10. Charge up the battery by taking a 15-minute drive.

If this only charges your battery slightly, or if it’s still dead, you’ll need to get it replaced as soon as possible to get your car running again.

Having a dead car battery can make you waste time and money, so we hope these tips help you avoid it. National Synthetics has excellent products for your car’s maintenance. Call them at (678) 799-9062 and speak to one of their oil pros, or place an order today at AMSOIL's online shop!