Few things are as frustrating as a car that refuses to start. When your car has trouble turning over, the culprit is usually a dying or dead battery. If your battery dies, you must jumpstart it with jumper cables and another car or use a battery charger to get it started again. In some cases, an unexpected battery failure can cause a serious car crash, so it’s important to figure out the cause of the problem and fix it as quickly as possible.
The question is, can a bad car battery damage your vehicle? The answer is yes. It can damage your car.
Car Battery 101
It might be helpful to understand how car batteries work. Batteries start the engine and power the electrical systems if the engine is not running. By turning the key in the ignition, the battery sends electricity to the starter. From there, the starter cranks the engine.
Once the car is cranked and the engine is running, the alternator takes the place of the battery, powers the car’s electrical workings, and recharges the battery while it is at it.
Standardly, cars feature lead-acid batteries. These comprise six cells containing lead plates and a solution containing sulfuric acid and water.
When the battery is completely charged, the lead plates have a coating of lead dioxide and lead sulfate. This stores the energy and releases it when activated. If your car battery has discharged its energy, the lead sulfate is turned into lead dioxide and lead.
How a Bad Car Battery Can Damage Your Vehicle
Weakened or dead batteries can be particularly problematic to motorists. Some of the problems they often cause are listed below:
- Trouble starting the car: A bad battery may not have enough power to send to the starter motor, making it impossible to start the car. Wear and tear on the starter motor can cause it to fail prematurely.
- Electrical problems: Electronics in today’s vehicles are fairly sensitive. A weakened battery may not provide enough juice to run the electrical system. This can cause lights to flicker or dim and causes damage to the car’s computer and other electrical components.
- Overcharging: Once the car is cranked, the alternator takes over, running the car’s electrical system while it charges the battery. A battery that is dying can overwork the alternator causing it to overheat. This can mean damage to the alternator.
- Corrosion: Battery corrosion or a leaky battery can damage other nearby components, such as the starter motor or the alternator.
- Short circuit: Batteries with a short circuit can ruin fuses, wiring, and the car’s electronics. Short circuits can cause damage to the entire electrical system.
Top 7 Tips for Preventing Damage Caused by a Bad Battery
Cars require maintenance, and one of the parts that require attention is the car battery. Here are some tips for preventing damage to your vehicle due to a bad battery:
- Regularly inspect your battery for signs of wear and tear. Take special care to look for any cracks, leaks, or corrosive areas. If you find any of these problems, you must promptly replace your battery.
- Electrical system maintenance can save you car trouble. Ensure that your alternator and starter motor is in good working order. Inspect the fuses and wiring often to make sure they are free of damage.
- Regularly operate your vehicle. Failure to drive your car regularly does not allow a weak battery to be charged by the alternator for nearly long enough to recharge completely.
- Extreme temperatures can impair your car’s battery. If you can park your car in the garage or in a shady spot, you should. For areas that have extreme weather, battery blankets are available as a way to insulate your battery.
- If the car is not cranked, do not run the electronics. Leave the air conditioner, the radio, televisions, and headlights off when the car engine is not running. This allows for less strain on the electrical system and more battery life.
- Ensure that you are using the right battery. Batteries that are not large enough or are too big may cause your electrical system damage and further reduce the effectiveness of your battery.
- Keep batteries charged if the vehicle is not driven for an extended time.
Bad car batteries may cause your vehicle damage. Things like electrical problems, overcharging, corrosion, and short circuits can be blamed on a weakened battery.
Regular Battery Maintenance Saves the Day
By following the advice listed above, it is possible to avoid a dead battery and the aggravation it brings. If you find yourself with a dead battery and plan to charge it with jumper cables, be very careful to use them as directed so your car is not damaged.
Avoid the headaches of car trouble by practicing good vehicle maintenance long before the battery begins to decline.
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