Jump started my discharged car battery?

Question

I've had my car battery jump-started yesterday at school, because i left my headlights on for almost about 4 hours and a half. The jumpstart was successful, but i have concerns about the battery being discharge and all of that. Is it true that the charge is gone forever and the battery will weaken and i will have to replace it very soon ? What exactly happens during the jumpstart process ?

Answer 1

I own a shop, and have been dealing with car batteries for many years. Jump starting one "will not" harm your battery, or shorten the life of it. Since its a rechargeable battery, then you have no reason for concern, unless the jumpers were hooked up wrong, and this could damage the alternator that charges the battery. This often happens, so if your battery won't stay charged, and slowly goes dead again, then you will have to replace the alternator to fix it. I don't think you will have any problems, but keep an eye out for your lights at night being dim, and your battery slowly loosing charge.
Glad to help out, Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

You're probably fine. That rumor may have got started when someone's battery was already on its last legs. It didn't start the car on a cold morning, so the car had to be jump-started. The battery died completely soon afterwards, and the owner probably blamed the jumpstart, rather than realizing that the battery was 5-6 years old already. Unless the battery is at least 5 years old, I wouldn't worry. I just replaced the original battery in my van, and it was 7 years old.

Answer 3

Flattening a battery can cause some damage, but normally only if drain is sharp/sudden. Headlights left on is very common and not something to worry about too much.
After jump start and a run of at least 15 minutes, your battery will have recharged enough to survive. It will only get better from there.