Why does my car battery keep dying?

March 15, 2025

Why Does My Car Battery Keep Dying? | Seaside & Monterey Car Battery Help

Nothing’s worse than getting into your car, turning the key (or pressing the start button), and… nothing. If you keep needing jump-starts, it’s time to find out why your car battery keeps dying. Whether you're commuting through Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, CA, a weak or dead battery can leave you stranded.

At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we diagnose and fix battery issues so you don’t have to worry about your car failing when you need it most. Here’s what might be draining your battery and what you can do about it.

1. Your Battery is Old and Weak

Car batteries don’t last forever. If yours is 3-5 years old, it might not hold a charge like it used to.

Signs of a Failing Battery:

✅ Slow engine cranking when starting
✅ Dashboard battery warning light is on
✅ Needing frequent jump-starts

💡 Fix:Visit Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, for a battery test. We’ll check your battery’s health and replace it if needed so you don’t get stranded.

2. Corroded or Loose Battery Connections

If your battery terminals are dirty or loose, electricity can’t flow properly, making it seem like your battery is dead.

How to Spot Corrosion:

✅ White, blue, or greenish gunk on the battery terminals
✅ Car randomly loses power, but works after jiggling the cables
✅ Dashboard lights flicker when starting

💡 Fix: You can try cleaning battery terminals with a wire brush, but if the problem continues, bring your car to Wayside Garage for a full battery system check.

3. Parasitic Drain – Something is Draining Power Overnight

Some electrical components keep running even after you turn off your car. This parasitic drain can kill your battery overnight.

Common Causes of Parasitic Drain:

🔴 Interior lights or headlights staying on
🔴 A faulty radio or alarm system
🔴 A stuck power window or seat motor

💡 Fix: If your car struggles to start after sitting overnight, you may have an electrical issue. We can diagnose and fix it at Wayside Garage in Seaside!

4. Your Alternator Isn’t Charging the Battery

Your alternator charges the battery while you drive. If it fails, your battery drains even while the engine is running.

Signs of a Bad Alternator:

⚠ Dim headlights or flickering dashboard lights
⚠ Car stalls while driving
⚠ Battery warning light on your dashboard

💡 Fix: If you notice these issues, your alternator may need repair or replacement.Schedule an inspection at Wayside Garage in Seaside before your car completely dies.

5. Extreme Cold or Heat in Monterey & Seaside

Coastal weather isn’t extreme, but damp mornings and salty air can weaken a car battery over time. Cold weather thickens engine oil, making it harder to start, while heat can evaporate battery fluid.

💡 Fix: If your battery struggles after cold mornings or hot days, get it tested at Wayside Garage before it fails completely.

How to Prevent a Dead Battery

🔹 Turn off headlights, dome lights, and radio before exiting the car
🔹 Drive your car regularly—short trips don’t charge the battery enough
🔹 Get a battery test every year (included in our Wayside Garage maintenance plan!)
🔹 Keep battery terminals clean and tight

Need a New Car Battery in Monterey or Seaside, CA?

If your car keeps dying or won’t start, don’t wait until you're stranded! Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, offers battery testing, replacement, and full electrical system diagnostics.

📅 Schedule your battery service today! Call us or book an appointment online!

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How Do I Know If My Tires Are Safe to Drive On?

By Stacey Diaz • July 3, 2025

How Do I Know If My Tires Are Safe to Drive On? Tips from Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA for National Tire Safety Week Tire safety is one of those things drivers don’t think about — until it’s too late. But as a local shop owner with over 38 years under the hood, I can tell you: the health of your tires has a major impact on how your car handles, brakes, and keeps you safe out on the road. That’s why we’re proud to support National Tire Safety Week 2025 , happening June 30 to July 4 — an annual effort from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association to educate drivers on proper tire maintenance. And right here at Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA , we’re doing our part to help folks check in before they check out for summer road trips. 🚗 So, How Do You Know If Your Tires Are Safe? It really comes down to four key checks — easy to remember with the acronym P.A.R.T .: 🔹 P = Pressure Low tire pressure leads to poor fuel economy, sluggish handling, and faster wear. We recommend checking pressure monthly, especially before long drives. Always check when your tires are “cold” — that means before you hit the road, not after a grocery run. 🔹 A = Alignment If your car’s drifting left or right, or your steering feels off, your alignment may be out of whack. Misalignment causes uneven wear, hurts handling, and can shorten your tire life — not to mention your patience. 🔹 R = Rotation You’d be surprised how fast tires can wear unevenly. We rotate tires every 5,000–7,500 miles to make sure all four tires wear evenly. This extends tire life and keeps your vehicle handling the way it should. 🔹 T = Tread Tires need grip, especially in wet or winding road conditions. We recommend checking tread depth monthly. If your tire tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less — or if you see visible cracking or bulges — it’s time to replace them. 💡 Quick Tip: Stick a penny into your tread, Lincoln's head down. If you can see all of Honest Abe's noggin, your tread is too low. 🛠️ What We Offer at Wayside Garage, Seaside CA We’ve been serving the Seaside community for nearly four decades, and tire safety is something we don’t take lightly. Our tire services include: Tire pressure checks and adjustments Computerized wheel alignments Tire rotations and balancing Tread inspections and honest tire replacement recommendations Tire age checks — rubber breaks down over time, even if your tread looks good. Most tires should be replaced every 6 years, regardless of wear. Whether you're planning a road trip or just commuting to work, swing by Wayside Garage in Seaside for a tire check. No pressure (pun intended) — just experienced, straightforward service you can trust. ❓ FAQ: Tire Safety Questions We Hear All the Time Q: How do I know when my tires need to be replaced? A: If your tread is worn past 2/32", your tires are over six years old, or you notice bulges or cracks — it’s time to replace them. Q: How often should I rotate my tires? A: Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. We include this as part of routine maintenance at Wayside Garage. Q: Can alignment affect tire wear that quickly? A: Absolutely. One pothole or curb can knock alignment off. If your car pulls or your tires wear unevenly, it’s time for an alignment check. Q: What tire pressure should I use? A: Check your driver’s door sticker or owner’s manual — never use the number printed on the tire itself. 🏁 Drive Into Summer with Confidence This National Tire Safety Week , don’t just guess your tires are safe — know they are. Bring your vehicle to Wayside Garage in Seaside, California and let our experienced team give your tires a full safety check. You’ll leave knowing your pressure’s perfect, your alignment’s dialed in, and your tread is road-trip ready. Stop by or schedule your service today — we’re here to keep you rolling, safely.