Looking for reasons why your car battery gets exhausted so fast? Well, in UAE, the major reason is nothing but the hot, dry climate with temperatures often shooting above 40*C.

Battery is an integral part of any automobile. The Car battery is the heart of your vehicle’s electrical system, powering everything from starting the engine to supplying energy to lights, infotainment system and the electrical components of air-conditioning system.

How long a car battery lasts varies based on various factors viz. climatic conditions where you live, how you drive and your battery’s quality.

Factors That Can Affect the Car Battery Life Span

• Climate: The scorching heat can adversely affect your car battery’s life span and performance. When temperatures rise, the electrolytes in the battery evaporate; chemical reactions speed up and cause corrosion of metal components and thereby decrease the battery’s life span. In cold weather, the chemical reactions occur very slowly which is why the dead batteries are common on cold mornings.
• Vibration: Significant vibrations can induce damage to the internal battery parts. The most common culprits are large potholes, longer rides on bumpy roads and driving over speed bumps too fast.
• Battery Type: The type of battery is also a factor for the longevity. Let’s take a closer look at the major types.
• • Lead-Acid Battery: These batteries are most commonly used in every region due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness.
  • AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Battery: Since AGM batteries have an absorbent glass mat between the battery’s lead plates; they charge more quickly and have exceptional heat resistance. AGM batteries are more commonly used in cars with start-stop technology and cars with several electrical accessories.
  • EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery): EFB car batteries are typically used in modern vehicles that have higher electrical demands. Compared to lead-acid batteries, EFB batteries charge quickly and have an improved life cycle.
  • Lithium-ion Battery: These batteries are primarily used in hybrid and electrical vehicles. With high performance and longer life span, they are more expensive.
• Battery Quality: Always invest in good quality batteries. Low quality batteries can degrade faster, causing a shorter life span while high quality batteries can withstand different conditions and last longer.
• Battery Drains: When your vehicle is turned off, anything that draws power from the battery could drain it. This includes charging your phone, using the music/infotainment system or leaving interior or parking lights ON. Issues with the car electrical system also cause battery drain.
• Corrosion: Batteries with corroded terminals could result in reduced life span. Corrosion acts as a barrier between the battery cables and the vehicle, preventing proper charging and discharging, which can lead to issues like slow starting, dim lights and ultimately a shortened battery life.

Indications your battery is dying

• Slow Engine Crank: If your engine cranks slowly or struggles to start, the battery may be weakening.
• Dim Headlights: Dim or Flickering headlights may also be a warning sign that your battery is dying.
• Battery Indicator Light ON: The battery indicator light on the instrument panel stays lit for extended periods after starting.
• Corroded Terminals: Battery terminals corroded or have a white powdery substance on them.

The above symptoms clearly indicate that it’s time to replace your car battery, at the earliest.

Best Practices to Extend Your Battery Car Battery Life

• Avoid Parasitic Drain: Avoid/Limit the use of charging your phone and infotainment systems when the engine is off. Overloading the battery can shorten its life span.
• Use Quality Batteries: Always use good quality batteries which can withstand UAE’s extreme climatic conditions.
• Monitor Battery Voltage: You can use a multimeter to conduct a battery test. A fully charged 100% battery should register 12.66V or higher in your multimeter. Inspect your battery once in every three months, due to UAE’s extreme hot climate.

Hope you have got an understanding about the types of car batteries, various aspects of battery life span and the precautions to be taken for ensuring longer battery life span.

For hassle-free and seamless driving experience, taking care of car battery is of primary importance. Enhance your driving experience with AutoGuard MF/AGM Batteries and various automotive accessories. AutoGuard is a timetested and reliable brand for car accessories in UAE since 2002.