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Any auto expert will tell you that the car battery is among the most crucial parts of your vehicle since it supplies the energy required to start the engine and operate the electrical systems. However, your car batteries have a limited lifespan, and there’s a chance of premature failure if they are not properly maintained. So, here are seven ways to extend the life of your car battery.
7 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery
Check the Battery Voltage Regularly
Most cars use a lead-acid battery. This type of battery loses its life span if it’s left partially or totally depleted. Therefore, it becomes crucial to routinely check your car battery, especially during hot summers and cold winters.
You can every now and then use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage. The voltage of a healthy, fully charged lead-acid battery should be 12.7 volts or above. Thus, if your car’s battery voltage drops below 12.5 volts, you should recharge it right away.
Keep Your Car Battery Clean
It's obvious that dirt and debris will build up on top of your battery over time. Dirt can produce a minor short circuit and battery discharge, which can eventually drain your car battery. Additionally, with time, the battery terminals will also deteriorate.
So, to prevent that, clean your car battery. You can use an old toothbrush and a mixture of water and baking soda to clean the terminals. Rinse the mixture and dry it up with a clean dry cloth.
Limit Short Trips
Every time you start a car, it puts a lot of stress on your battery. However, once the car starts to move, the engine recharges the battery, but you have to cover some distance. Thus, when you take a short trip, it becomes hard for the battery to replenish the energy it lost during a brief trip.
Just one or a few short trips won’t kill your car battery completely. However, if you repeat the same thing again and again, the battery voltage will gradually drop until it is no longer able to start the car.
Don’t Leave Your Car Unused For a Long Time
As mentioned above, most cars use a lead-acid battery. The other trait of this battery is that it naturally loses charge over time (also known as self-discharge). Therefore, if you don’t use your car for a long period of time, the battery will eventually die.
Typically, a lead-acid battery has a self-discharge rate of around 1% per day at room temperature, 0.25% per day at 10°C, and 1.5% per day at 30°C. So, if you are not using your car for more than a week, just connect a trickle charger.
Turn off Electrical Systems When the Engine is off
Make sure to turn off all electrical components, including the lights, air conditioner, and radio, before you leave your car. This will help prevent unnecessary power draining of your car battery. Also, make a habit to double-check the lights as you walk away.
Avoid Heat Exposure
Overexposure to heat is one of the main reasons why the car battery quickly deteriorates. Extreme heat increases the rate of water evaporation from the battery even when the tops are sealed. So, keeping your car out in direct Sunlight is not a great idea.
If possible, park your car in a shaded area. Besides, keep your car inside the garage while you are not using it.
Make Sure the Battery is Securely Fastened
Excessive vibration can easily damage the internal components of your car’s battery. This can also create short circuits, which will eventually reduce the battery’s life span. Thus, you have to keep the battery tightly fastened to the car.
To do so, you can use an approved battery clamp to properly hold down the battery. Also, avoid over-tightening as it might damage the battery. Just one or two turns after you feel the resistance is enough to securely place the battery in your car.
7 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery
- Make Sure the Battery is Securely Fastened
- Avoid Heat Exposure
- Turn off Electrical Systems When the Engine is off
- Don’t Leave Your Car Unused For a Long Time
- Limit Short Trips
- Keep Your Car Battery Clean
- Check the Battery Voltage Regularly
Conclusion
Your car battery needs regular maintenance and proper care to last longer. Along with saving your money over time, a well-maintained battery also guarantees a safer and dependable driving experience. Thus, by implementing these easy steps mentioned above, you can extend the life of your car battery and enjoy trouble-free rides.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main factors that affect the longer life of car battery?
- The main factors that affect the life of a car battery are heat, vibrations, and time.
2. How many times can a car battery be recharged?
- Depending on the brand, a car battery can last somewhere between 500 and 1000 charging cycles.
3. How long can a car battery last without driving?
- In good condition, a car battery can last at least two weeks without driving.
