When it comes to car batteries, it shouldn’t be noticeable. Like many other parts of the car, it needs a little attention and care to function properly. Car batteries are an integral part of your car. Batteries provide the charge your vehicle needs, from starting the vehicle to charging the phone on the go. That’s why it’s very important to know when to replace your car battery and what you can do to extend its life.
We’ve all been there at some point in our lives, and the problem is often aggravated by the fact that modern vehicles rarely show warning signs, and there’s a 50% chance this will happen when you move away.
Like batteries in cell phones or laptops, lead-acid batteries have a limited lifespan and eventually lose the ability to store enough charge to keep the car running. On average, a lead-acid battery can be expected to last about 42 months, but this period will depend on several variables such as hot or cold climate, mileage, and the performance of the vehicle’s charging circuit.
Here are some tips to help you keep your car battery in top condition.
Tips to Maximize your Car Battery
1. Avoid frequent short trips
The battery gets hot every time you start it, but it is charged by the engine while driving. So, if you only drive a short distance, the battery cannot recover the amount of energy lost, and if you repeat this process every day, the battery voltage will drop steadily until it stops starting. Use your car frequently to keep the battery charged for a long time If you don’t use your vehicle often, we recommend purchasing a battery charger to maintain the proper voltage.
2. Connect the battery firmly
Vibration can shorten the vehicle’s battery life, so it’s important to always use an approved battery clamp to make sure it is properly protected. If not properly installed, excessive vibration can damage internal parts of the battery, resulting in a short circuit and shortening battery life.
But don’t make the mistake of tightening the battery clamp nut. Otherwise, the battery may be damaged! Instead, tighten the nut until you feel the resistance begins, then continue for another half a turn.
3. Reduce power consumption when the engine is off
Car batteries work best when charged close to 100%, so leaving headlights or interior lights on when the engine is not running is a big ban. Before getting out of the car, always make sure all accessories are off and the lights are off while driving.
4. Change every 4 years
It is recommended to replace all car batteries after 4 years, and it is important to keep this in mind for the car to run smoothly. There’s nothing worse than being powered off while traveling, so don’t try to extend the battery life longer than expected.
5. Check the acid level
You should check the acid level of the battery about every 6 months. Be aware of acid decomposition that occurs when the battery is less than 80% charged, not fully charged, or there is no shallow discharge. If you are using a multilayer battery, the electrolyte is concentrated at the bottom, leaving the top blank. Batteries are particularly vulnerable when driving the vehicle remotely for short distances using power reduction accessories.
6. Add water carefully
If the electrolyte level is low (the plate is open), add distilled water. Do this and fill the cells to cover the plate. A funnel or sports bottle is best for adding water, as it can control the flow. After adding water, use the charger to charge the battery.
7. Keep the battery clean
Make sure the top of the battery is clean, dry, and free of dust and dirt. Dirty batteries can leak through the soot on the top of the case and eventually cause a small short circuit that drains the battery. If dirt and debris get on the battery, it can be bad news for the battery. It is also important to clean around the battery head and terminals as they can corrode nearby metal. It’s a good idea to use an ammonia-based window cleaner often, but a combination of baking soda and water will help remove the “peel” when applying with a wire brush. Baking soda and water are especially useful for cleaning corrosion.
Battery terminals corrode over time, and keeping the deposits clean is a great way to extend your car’s battery life. Clean the terminal by mixing an old toothbrush with baking soda and water. Then use a cold water spray bottle to rinse the mixture and wipe it with a clean cloth.
8. Reduce heat exposure
A common misconception is that cold weather kills car batteries. However, this is not entirely true. Car batteries have to work harder to start the engine in winter, but the reason many batteries fail in winter is mainly due to damage inflicted in summer.
Strong heat is not good for batteries because it increases the rate at which moisture evaporates from the cell, even in sealed batteries. Cold shows the drawback of a weak battery because it loses the remaining starting power when trying to start a cold engine with a low-temperature thick oil.
9. Keep your battery safe
Batteries that are not properly installed can vibrate and cause internal damage and short circuits. Check the battery terminals regularly, especially if you drive frequently on uneven roads, to ensure that they fit snugly and fit the mounting brackets.
10. Turn off all lights when leaving
Accidentally leaving headlights and lamps on the car door can seriously damage the car battery. To remember, leave a note on the instrument panel, affix a reminder sticker on the remote control, or park in the direction you need to pass the headlight to reach your destination.
11 Insulate from extreme temperature variances
Another way to prolong your vehicle’s battery life is to protect the unit from extreme changes in temperature. One way to do this is to invest in an insulation kit. The kit might be already installed on your car if it’s a newer model, but you can get one and perform a DIY installation if it’s not present on the vehicle.
12. Truckin’ truckin’ baby
Frequent short trips are bad for your car’s battery. Here’s why: as you drive, the battery is put on charge, but short distance commutes prevent it from being able to recharge probably. Over a long period, this causes the demise of the battery as the voltage continues to dimmish. To help chare your battery, it’s better to drive for a longer period. If you can, run all of your day’s errands in one go rather than taking a short trip to the grocery store and come back only to leave again to give laundry to the dry cleaner.
13. Be wise when jump starting
If the battery suddenly goes dead and there’s no other option available than to perform a jump start, you can still minimize the potential stress the process will cause to the battery. The key is to make the battery warm before you proceed with the jump start. This can be done by putting the vehicle’s gear in neutral and then pushing the front of the car into the sun. Leave it there for an hour or two – the temperature increase will smoothen the jump start process and significantly lessen the strain on the battery.
14. Maintain it
Of course, the most effective way to keep your battery strong and going is regular maintenance. Besides checking the water level, be sure to check the tightness of the hold downs and connectors. You might also need to secure the unit from corrosion by disconnecting it from the car. When it comes to cleaning, the best combination is a mix of water and baking soda. Leave the battery to dry after you’ve done the cleaning so that it’s able to function correctly.
Conclusion
Cars have many parts that work together. Repair your car regularly and store it properly. It’s also an easy way to maximize battery life. A battery is just one component of a car that works well, so all parts of the car must be properly serviced to extend battery life and life.
No matter how well you keep your car’s battery, you can’t always predict when it will run out. Learn more about emergency response assistance and how we can help you in an emergency. So what can you do? All in all, you can think of a way to cool down the battery. It is advisable to park your car in the shade as much as possible and keep it in the garage when not in use. Alternatively, you can find a way to insulate the battery from the heat generated in the engine compartment.