You’ve either experienced a dead car battery before, or you know someone who has. Knowing how your car battery works is integral to understanding how your vehicle works, and knowing which systems interact principally with your car battery helps you solve any problems that may arise.
Car batteries are generally “flooded cell” batteries. Separate plates of lead and lead dioxide are suspended and submerged in a solution that is part water and part sulfuric acid. The chemical reaction that happens from this construction frees electrons, which can then flow through conductors – usually the posts of the battery – to deliver power to your vehicle. The chemical reaction continues as power is drawn from the battery until the entire battery has been depleted. Adding charge to the battery either from an outside charger or via the alternator while your car is running reverses the drain on the battery.
Most car batteries are SLI (starting, lighting, and ignition) batteries. These are the main systems that use battery power, and that’s exactly why leaving your vehicle lights on accidentally can drain the battery power until there’s no longer enough power to turn over the engine.
At Scotty Muffler & Auto Repair, we’re dedicated to keeping your vehicle in the best condition in order to keep you and your family safe and on the road for as long as you need. We’re a second-generation family business and have been on the job for you, your family, and your vehicle for 35 years. Let us help you with your car battery problems today!