As the days grow longer and spring flowers bloom, it’s a great time to ensure your car is ready for any spring road trips you may be planning. The long, cold winter takes a toll on your car battery, shortening its lifespan. By the time spring break arrives, your battery may be starting to lose its charge.

Modern vehicles offer drivers various onboard accessories and entertainment, from multimedia players and Bluetooth connectivity to backup cameras, GPS navigation, and heated seats. While these bells and whistles elevate the driving experience, they also draw power from the battery, even when the engine isn’t running, creating a parasitic drain. If your battery is already declining after enduring scorching summer heat, one parasitic drain may be all it takes to finish it off.

Don’t Fall for These 7 Silent Battery Drains:

1. Headlights Left On
While many modern vehicles automatically turn the headlights off after turning off the ignition, some cars still don't have this helpful feature. As a result, a fully charged battery can be completely drained of power in just one to two hours if the lights are left on when the engine is powered down.

2. Interior Lights Left On
When an interior light is left on after the engine is turned off, the battery is slowly drained of power. This frequently happens when a door is not fully closed, the glove box or vanity mirror is left open, the trunk is not completely shut, or the reading lights were not turned off just before exiting the vehicle.

3. Accessory Socket Plug-Ins
The accessory socket (i.e., cigarette lighter) is a handy spot to plug in phone chargers, radar detectors, air fresheners, dash cams, and other gadgets. The 12-volt outlet is powered by the car battery, even when the ignition is off. If an accessory remains plugged in with the engine off, it continues to draw current from the battery, gradually depleting its ability to start your car.

4. Key FobModern vehicles are opened with the click of a button using a key fob. Some cars even detect when the fob is near, allowing the driver to simply touch the handle to open the door. When the key fob is close, a receiver inside the vehicle wakes up to wait for instructions (e.g., lock or unlock the car, start the engine, open the trunk, etc.). If you leave the fob within 15 feet of your vehicle, the receiver remains engaged while waiting for your command, slowly discharging the battery.