Your Kia Sportage may issue a battery discharge warning as a way of informing you not to utilize auxiliary power when the engine is not operating. It can be annoying to receive this message, but it’s usually harmless; it serves as a gentle reminder that operating the radio on auxiliary power can drain the battery. But occasionally, things go a little bit further. If Your Sportage won’t start, then you’ve reached the end of your rope. This indicates that some component’s pulling power has actually exhausted Your battery. The cause will be clear if You turned on the radio or left a light on. On the other hand, if you are unable to think or do anything else, you may have a problem with a component that is using power improperly.
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Why does the battery drain warning on my Kia keep appearing?
Q. A “battery discharge warning” will be visible on the dashboard of my 2020 Hyundai Kona. I have repeatedly taken the automobile to the dealer, but they have been unable to identify any issues. There are only 4,500 kilometers on the car. I didn’t anticipate these issues with a new car. What should I do?
A. When the battery is being discharged, this alert will appear. Usually, if the engine is not running and the radio is on (accessory or key-on), this will occur while you are sitting in the car. Hyundai uses this as a way to alert the driver that carrying on like this could result in the battery dying. The battery may not be fully recharged, which is another potential problem. You’ve only traveled 4,500 miles in a year, so it is doable. The batteries should now be slowly recharged before being tested, in my opinion. The car should also have a parasitic drain checked at the same time. A problem with the back hatch on some Kona models prevented the courtesy lights from turning off.
Q. My 2007 Shelby GT500 is mine. It only has 11,000 miles on it and I just bought it brand new. My battery went dead when I was in Florida due to a malfunctioning battery maintainer. After replacing the battery, my Shaker 500 CD player has started cycling. I am unable to remove the CD. Even when the radio is turned off and the key is not in the ignition, it continues to cycle. Have you heard of it or are you aware of a cure?
A. It appears that this is a fairly typical issue with this audio system. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like a simple or fast repair. You could unplug the radio entirely and then reconnect it to power to see if that resets the control device. Even after discharging the CD, the device could continue to cycle as if there is a CD inside that it is attempting to eject. You will now need to send the appliance out for repair or replace it with an aftermarket appliance.
Q. My cargo van has a removable seat, and I believe that when my kids were inside the vehicle playing, they dropped a few pennies in the area where the seat locks to the floor. I can hear the pennies sliding every time I stop. I am unable to remove them with a magnet since they are pennies. Any suggestions on how to reduce the noise?
A. When I first noticed the issue years ago, it was resolved by squirting grease in the groove where the seat locks in. Only until it warmed up and began to “melt” and the noise resumed did the grease work. The smell of grease is another problem. If this were my car, I would start by using a wire linked to something adhesive to attempt and fish the coins out. I would try spraying the area with expanding foam if that didn’t work. The foam should suppress the noise and bond the pennies into place.
Do you have any experience with Shine Armor products? Do they perform as promised, particularly the scratch remover?
A. I don’t know anything about the Shine Armor product line. If you can snag your fingernail on the paint when applying scratch remover, you won’t be able to make the scratch go away. Although the paint is damaged and can only be fixed with touch-up paint, you can lessen its look. Spray-on detailing products are widely available. After trying a couple, I discovered that most hybrid ceramic sprays are comparable. In my incredibly unscientific tests, the ultimate outcome appears to be roughly the same even though some will smell better and some will have better spray bottles.
A. In my opinion, the greatest compact or midsize pickup truck on the market right now is the Honda Ridgeline. The engine is strong and functions nicely. The lockable hidden trunk and cargo bed are also highly practical. The inside is cozy and has enough space for four individuals. The only things I have to complain about are the push-button shifter and the absence of a radio tuning knob.
A. You visited our senior center before Covid and gave a presentation on car maintenance. It was quite educational. Could you give a discussion regarding hybrids and other electric vehicles given the current craze for electric cars? You might be able to participate virtually from your home.
A. Virtual presentations are the new standard in today’s society, and I would be delighted to organize a discussion regarding hybrid, plugin, and electric automobiles. Readers, please shoot me an email at [email protected] if you’d like to virtually have me at your event.
Have you seen this message on the dash of your late model BMW? What does it mean? Should you be concerned? How do you fix it?
People typically drive shorter distances more frequently and with more accessories in cold weather (10C) (battery consumers). The battery can be heavily drained by heat, heated seats, heated steering wheels, the stereo, and spotlights, among other things. People will drive 510 minutes to the grocery store, stop the car, go shopping for 30 minutes, and then get back in the car to repeat the cycle. When stationary at a stop sign, some newer automobiles even have a feature called engine Start/Stop that is intended to save petrol. This feature turns off the engine but leaves the other consumers on. The car goes to sleep once they reach home and turns it off; nevertheless, the next time they start it, the message “increased battery discharge” pops up.
It can be challenging to maintain the battery’s charge when there are so many energy consumers, especially during cold weather.
It takes a lot of electricity to drive short distances while using all of these car accessories. As a result, the battery starts to deplete to the point where the engine computer detects that its current charge start is below the necessary minimum. The automobile might start the following time, but it might not have enough time to recover until it is driven for at least 45 to 60 minutes. Due to low voltage, this might result in a torrent of fault codes flooding the vehicle computer. The accessories will eventually start to turn off in order to conserve the battery for the following start and to give the alternator time to finish charging.
Will a short cause battery drain?
The aforementioned issues are the most typical causes of batteries that won’t keep a charge. If you are still unable to identify the issue’s root cause, another system might be the problem. For instance:
- The beginning system can have an issue. Your battery may be drained by an extreme current draw brought on by a short circuit.
- Look for issues in the circuit (loose, disconnected, or broken wires), a failing alternator, or a loose or worn-out alternator belt when inspecting the charging system.
- Excessive battery depletion while cranking is another potential result of engine performance issues.
- Start there if you’ve just installed or upgraded equipment, added a new electronic item, changed out wiring, or altered a circuit.
- Have the battery inspected if it appears to malfunction in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Under these circumstances, faulty or old batteries are more prone to malfunction.
- Your battery, especially an old one, can eventually suffer from making too many short excursions (less than one mile). The battery’s lifespan is shortened because it can’t fully recharge.
Should I be concerned about the warning of battery discharge?
The Battery Discharge warning indicates that electrical issues are about to arise because your car’s battery is draining more quickly than it is charging. This warning will appear on the dashboard, infotainment system, or display of your car. Battery discharge has the potential to be disastrous, but it can also be a sign of a more serious issue.
Certain cars have a feature called Battery Saver Active that switches the car into battery-saving mode. By turning off any unnecessary electrical components, this will protect the battery. Even when the engine is off but the car is still using electricity, a battery discharge alert could appear. This indicator may occasionally turn on while you’re driving, signaling a more serious problem.
Check for operating system updates
Your phone’s battery can be depleted by using an older operating system. Updating your operating system frequently improves performance while also adding security updates. To check if you are using the most recent version:
- On some Android devices, this will say Settings > System > Advanced > System update > Check for update. Tap Settings > Software update > Check for updates.
- Tap OK.
- Current software is up to date will appear if your operating system is current. If there is a fresh update available, download it by following the directions.
Protect your phone from extreme temperatures
Avoid leaving your phone in extremely hot or cold surroundings, whether you’re home or on the go. Extreme temperatures can damage your phone’s battery and put your safety in danger by overheating and exploding it. Try to keep your phone between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. For further tips on preventing your phone from overheating, see our page.
Turn on Battery Saver mode
The easiest solution is to activate Battery Saver mode if you’re in a bind and your phone is nearing the end of its useful life. Even while performance will suffer, you’ll have some extra time before your phone’s next charge. Enable Battery Saver mode by:
How much time does a car battery drain?
The safety of your car is something you consider whether you are making travel or business plans. Of course, you want your car battery to last so that you won’t have to replace it after your vacation.
New Car Batteries
A brand-new, fully charged car battery can last for around two weeks before requiring a generator recharge. After two to three months, this battery will be completely discharged. You won’t be able to start the automobile if the battery is left disconnected for about 2.5 months.
The electronics in the car that are operating when it is not moving have an impact on how long a fresh car battery lasts. Radios, headlamps, and alarm systems are a few of these gadgets. This is due to the fact that these devices require power even when the automobile is not moving, which they obtain from the vehicle battery.
When Battery is disconnected
You are curious how long a disconnected car battery will last. When a lead-acid battery is drained, it will stop working if you keep drawing power from it. The length of time your battery will survive depends on how well you preserve it after disconnecting.
After removing your battery from the vehicle, the temperature at which you keep it is crucial. The battery tends to discharge significantly more quickly at cold temperatures than it does at room temperature. A discharged battery will eventually fail if left in low temperatures for an extended period of time.
This happens because the electrolyte density inside the car battery substantially decreases. Depending on the capacity of the battery, this will cause crystallization and eventually destroy the battery plates when stored at the ideal temperature. A car battery naturally leaks 10mAh of current.
Causes of Battery Drain
There are components in modern cars that unknowingly drain the power of the engine. We refer to them as parasitic drains. Automobiles with lots of computers and electronics last fewer than four weeks before the battery fails. This is so that they can still be powered even when the car is not running. Batteries deplete their charge as a result, even when the car is stationary. Battery life is challenging to forecast. The battery’s age and the climate will both be factors.
BMW recommends letting a car battery sit for four weeks before removing it. It can remain for six weeks to six months after the battery is taken out. But with time, you’ll need to constantly recharging the battery. When the battery is detached, it should ideally be recharged once every 12 weeks.
How to Save Car Battery When Not in Use: Step by Step Guide
You have two options for where to store the car battery when it’s not in use: separately or within the car. Recall that we warned operating devices could cause automobile batteries to discharge. Consequently, here are some tips to avoid a car battery dying when it’s not in use:
When the car battery is in the vehicle
You might decide not to remove the battery if you won’t be away from the car for a long time or if you’ll be near it. In that situation, you’ll need to occasionally keep staring at the car. Start the vehicle in neutral for five to ten minutes at a speed of roughly 1000 RPM. In this manner, the battery will regain any charge lost while the automobile is in motion. The car battery is charged by the engine. The car battery starts to recharge itself when the RPM reaches 1000. As a result, driving your car frequently increases the battery’s lifespan. If you want to keep the automobile battery safe, doing this may use up some petrol, but it is worthwhile.
The battery can also be maintained by using a battery maintainer. In order to keep the battery from draining, this will frequently add some power to it. When using a battery maintainer, you must have AC power close to the car in order to employ this technique. This is battery power with low power that frequently checks the battery’s voltage and tops it off as necessary. A battery maintainer’s key benefit is that, in contrast to conventional batteries, it does not overcharge the vehicle’s battery. It’s also a good idea to unplug your car’s clocks, radios, and other devices to keep the battery from draining too quickly.
When the battery is removed
The battery should be removed from the car if you plan to travel for an extended period of time. Since it automatically self-discharges, disconnecting it is insufficient. However, if you keep it properly, you can avoid having to buy a new battery when you return. To store a car battery, adhere to these steps:
- Battery removal from the vehicle
- Keep it out of children’s and animals’ reach. Make sure that no youngster can access or reach the region when determining where to keep the battery.
- Find a location where you have environmental control. The location where you store the battery shouldn’t be excessively hot or cold. The battery is negatively impacted by the two extreme temperatures.
- Examine the terminals closely. Because they will affect how you store the battery, thoroughly inspect the battery terminals.
- Make sure moisture is kept out of the battery. Put a moisture-resistant pad to a piece of plastic and place it under the battery for the quickest solution. After that, you can clean it with baking soda to stop corrosion and leaks.
- Charge the battery up. After you’ve put the batteries away, your work is not done. When the car is not in use, you must consider how to maintain the battery charged. The car battery needs to be kept charged. If it was properly positioned, you can recharge it every 12 weeks.
Q. Does the Car Battery Die If Not Driven?
Yes. Even while the car is parked, the battery will eventually run out. This is due to the natural self-discharge of automobile batteries. The battery is used in situations other than when the car is moving. However, even when the automobile is idle, accessories tend to deplete the battery. The battery will self-discharge if your car has a lot of accessories such a radio, air conditioner, and clock, which will cause the battery to die.
Temperatures are another factor that could kill the battery in an idle car. A car battery will die in extremely low temperatures. This happens as a result of the temperature causing the motor to receive little current. Extremely high temperatures might potentially harm the batteries.
Q. What Can Drain a Car Battery When the Car is off?
When the car is not in use, a number of accessories deplete the battery. An example of a parasitic drain is this. Radio, headlight, air conditioning, and alarm systems are the gadgets that drain a car’s battery. By detaching the battery from the car or turning the gadgets off, you can prevent the battery from being drained.
Q. How Do I Know When My Car Needs a New Battery?
You’ll be able to tell that your car’s battery needs to be replaced by a number of indications. It is necessary to replace the battery because it is faulty when the battery won’t start. Additionally, if the car’s engine keeps breaking down, there may be an issue with the battery or its contacts.
When the car attachments quit functioning properly, that is another indication. The battery powers the car’s lights, wipers, speakers, radio, and wiper blades. As a result, when they stop functioning regularly, it indicates that the automobile battery needs to be checked. The other indication is an offensive odor, similar to that of a rotten egg or a rancid odor.
That stench is the evaporation of sulfuric acid. This indicates that a cell is on the verge of dying. Finally, each time you switch the ignition on, a bothersome clicking sound will be audible. If this occurs, attempt a jumpstart. If it fails a second time, the battery needs to be changed because it is close to expire.
Q. How Many Years Do Car Batteries Last?
A car battery can typically survive for two to five years. But if you treat the battery well, it can last up to six years. The battery will last a lot longer if you reside somewhere with a cold climate. Additionally, the battery lasts far longer if the car is driven every day. For a longer lifespan, you should also keep the automobile battery completely charged. The longevity of the automobile battery reduces when the vehicle is parked for an extended period of time without use.
Q. How Much Would it cost to replace a car Battery
The price to replace a battery varies depending on various factors. The cost will vary depending on the battery size, battery type, location, and installation fees in your region. Car batteries typically come in sizes ranging from 24 to 75. These batteries range in price from $40 to $90. Choosing a particular brand of car battery will affect the pricing as well.
The least expensive brand costs around $50. Additionally, labor rates vary depending on where you live and the kind of garage you visit. The average installation fee is between $50 and $100. However, if you can install the battery yourself, you can save paying for installation.