6 Reasons Your Car Battery Keeps Dying

6. You've Left the Lights On

Maybe it was pouring rain and you were in a rush to get inside, forgetting to switch off the headlights. Perhaps a child was playing with the dome light and you didn't realize it had been switched to the "on" position. Things like these happen to the best of us. Embarrassing though it might be, it's actually good news. If a dead battery is caused by simple human error like this, your Chevy might be fine with a simple jump start. But if the problem returns, there's likely something else at play.

5. Parasitic Drain

It sounds like something right out of a 1950s horror B-movie, but parasitic drain just means that something is draining the power of the battery when your car is switched off. A small amount of parasitic drain is normal and expected, since things like your clock and audio system need some power to avoid being reset every time you turn off the car. However, excessive parasitic drain can be a problem, leaving your battery empty by morning. This could be due to something that's hard to see, like a trunk light, or it could be caused by a problem with the wiring in your car.

4. The Alternator Is Bad

The alternator is a versatile, hardworking component. When your car is running, it provides power to the electrical systems in the vehicle. However, it has another important job: it recharges the battery. When you start your car, the battery uses a considerable amount of energy to start the engine. This means that the alternator's job is crucial. If it's not working as it should, the battery may soon be left without enough charge to start things up. And since a bad alternator will continue to provide insufficient charge, the battery will continue to die.

3. You Only Drive Short Distances

Even if the alternator is in good condition, it may not have time to fully recharge the battery if you only drive short distances. If this is the case, the battery may eventually lose enough power that it won't be able to start the engine again. If this is the case, you may simply have to adjust your route or take the Chevy out for a longer drive every once in a while.

2. The Battery Terminals Have Corrosion or Loose Connections

The cables that provide power to your battery are connected to terminals. When the alternator recharges the battery, the energy goes through these cables. However, battery acid is corrosive, and the hydrogen gas that it releases may cause a buildup of white, green, or bluish corrosion on the terminals. This corrosion can keep the cables from making a proper connection. Similarly, cables that are physically loose may not be able to recharge the battery, either.