How to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery
Car batteries are designed to last for several years, but some can putter out after only a year or less. To get the most out of your car battery, you'll want to ensure you're taking excellent care of your vehicle.This means storing your car in a clean, cool place and performing regular maintenance. However, there are a few other tips and tricks that could help you enjoy longer battery life.Let's discover the best ways to extend your car battery's lifespan!
Why Do Car Batteries Die?
There are quite a few reasons why car batteries expire or fail to provide power. Extreme heat, corroded battery terminals, and excessive power consumption can all lead to a dead battery.While you could recharge a low-charge battery, trying to revive a dead battery can be dangerous and ineffective. As such, it's often best to replace your battery when it dies. But how long do car batteries last?
How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
In ideal conditions, a car battery can last about five years. However, environments that experience intense heat or cold are hard on batteries. Vehicles in these types of locations can quickly develop a dying car battery.For example, car batteries in Thailand typically only last about two years. Consequently, many drivers look for ways to extend their car battery's life.
Extending Car Battery Life
Car batteries, especially high-quality options, can be somewhat pricey. As such, it's an excellent idea to do everything you can to ensure your current battery lasts a long time.To keep your car battery running optimally, you'll want to:
- Keep It Cool
- Turn Off the Radio
- Avoid Constant Starts and Stops
- Reduce Nighttime Driving
- Clean the Connecting Cables
- Secure Your Battery
Let's review these tips in more detail to discover how they work and why you'll want to start putting them into action.
Keep It Cool
Extreme heat and humidity can cut a battery's lifespan in half. As such, one of the best ways to ensure your battery lasts longer is to keep it cool. While this might not always be possible, storing your vehicle in a garage can help.
Turn Off the Radio
Does your radio continue to play when you turn off your car engine? If so, you might want to get into the habit of physically powering it off before getting out of your car. Otherwise, it could be draining battery power.
Avoid Constant Starts and Stops
If you're constantly getting in and out of your car, turning it on and off each time, you could be putting a lot of strain on your battery.Your vehicle relies on your battery to start. Each turn of the ignition key drains power from it. Making dozens of short trips each day can drastically reduce your car battery's power supply.
Reduce Nighttime Driving
Driving during the night can be a relaxing experience. However, nighttime driving can be a drain on your car battery. After all, headlights require a power source!If you're serious about making extending your car battery's life, you'll want to try and reduce your nighttime driving. But, of course, this option might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with nighttime jobs.However, you can also check your battery's terminals for signs of corrosion or rust. These are common problems that often shorten a battery's lifespan.
Clean the Battery Terminals
Your vehicle's battery terminals loop around the top of the car battery and form a connection between it and your vehicle. They should be clean and in excellent condition at all times.But these terminals are made of metal. When exposed to salty air or excess moisture, these small bits can begin to rust. Battery acid leaks can also cause terminals to corrode.When this happens, your car's connection with the battery can begin to falter. Your vehicle might draw an overabundance of power from the battery to compensate for the reduced efficiency.It's a great idea to check your car battery's terminals once every month. That way, you can clean away any corrosion or rust before it becomes a serious problem.
Secure Your Battery
The final thing you might want to try is securing your battery. If your current battery is slightly smaller than its tray, it can slide around when you drive.This motion can jostle the connecting cables, causing power shortages and disconnects. An unsecured battery can also end up dying far sooner than a well-secured one. If possible, add car battery hold-downs for stability.
Car Maintenance and Battery Life
Even maintenance-free automotive batteries can benefit from occasional cleaning. In fact, well-maintained cars typically enjoy the longest battery life.After installing a new battery, be sure to keep up common maintenance tasks like:
- Checking Battery Voltage
- Ensuring all lights are off, including doors lights
Your battery's voltage signifies how much power it's currently able to generate. Checking the voltage often is a great way to check your battery's general condition.When this number begins to drop, you'll know that your battery is struggling to recharge. At that point, you can choose to replace it or recharge it.Ensuring all lights are off is also crucial. Many vehicles have interior lights that activate when a door is open. A jammed door can signal a constantly open door, causing the lights to remain on at all times.Over time, these lights can consume all of your vehicle battery's power. If you notice that one of your doors is beginning to stick, seek immediate repair services.
Use These Car Tips Today
Owning a car can be expensive, which is why it's essential to take excellent care of your vehicle and its components. To get the most out of your car's battery, be sure to follow the tips we discussed in this guide.Regular vehicle maintenance can also help extend the life of your car battery. You can use a multimeter to check your battery's voltage. Remember, a dying car battery can leave you stranded along the roadside.Are you interested in purchasing long-lasting car batteries? If so, please contact us today!