Car battery is an essential component. It provides the necessary power to start the engine and run other electrical systems. Also, it is consumable items that car owners need to take extra care of. Car batteries often last between three to five years. And there are car owners who find themselves changing batteries every one or two years. Yet, car batteries are prone to wear and tear. Which can cause them to lose their efficiency and fail.
Why?
Because they are not aware of simple maintenance tips that can prolong their car battery’s lifespan and they are only concerned about getting from one location to another. Most owners disregard little things until they feel there is a problem with their car.
How to Maintain Car Batteries
Maintaining your car battery is crucial to ensuring that your car runs smoothly and efficiently. However, they are often neglected and left to deteriorate over time, leading to various issues that can affect the car’s performance.
To be able to take care of your car batteries life better, we have listed down some of the things that you should do on a regular basis.
1. Check the water (electrolyte) level
Car batteries use electrolytes to produce electricity. These electrolytes are a mixture of water and sulfuric acid, and over time, they can evaporate, causing the battery to lose its charge.
To prevent this, car owners need to make sure that the water level of their car’s battery isn’t too low. A regular schedule for topping up is necessary and it’s wise to check the levels once or twice a month during summer or when the temperature is high. When topping up, use only distilled water (boiled and allowed to cool) and avoid overfilling.
2. Keep the battery clean
Dirt and grime can accumulate on the surface of the battery, causing it to discharge more quickly. So, it’s essential to keep the battery clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth regularly.
You can clean the battery terminals and remove dirt using warm soapy water. Dirt causes batteries to self discharge more rapidly. While cleaning the battery, you can also check if the terminals are well-connected.
3. Charge the battery regularly
Your car battery drains even when the car is off, so it’s paramount that you fully charge it once a week to extend its lifespan. Because, if you don’t use your car for an extended period, the battery will eventually lose its charge.
To prevent this, it’s crucial to charge the battery regularly by driving your car for at least 20 minutes once a week.
4. Do not overcharge your battery
Overcharge battery, lead batteries release oxygen and hydrogen gases that can cause explosion or break down the composition of the water in the battery. It’s essential to charge your battery regularly, you should never overcharge it.
Overcharging can cause the battery to overheat and reduce its lifespan. To avoid overcharging, make sure that you turn off the car’s engine once the battery is fully charged.
5. Park in shade
Extreme temperatures can also affect the battery’s lifespan. A car battery’s lifespan will be cut short if it is constantly being exposed to high temperature.
Doing so will also reduce the capacity of the battery and make the car harder to start in cold weather. Therefore, it’s best to park your car in the shade to prevent the battery from overheating.
6. Do not operate any car accessories before turning on the car ignition
Car batteries are only designed to provide power for ignition. They’re not made to supply prolonged power for electronics and other devices.
When you operate any car accessories, such as the radio or air conditioning, before turning on the ignition, it can put an extra load on the battery. And also, if you use car accessories while the engine is off, the car’s alternator cannot charge the battery. This will result in the car battery getting drained and more quickly and reduce its lifespan.
7. Do not let your car sit idle for too long
Leaving your car idle for an extended period can cause the battery to discharge. Again, car batteries drain even when the car is off. If you let the car sit idle for too long, the alternator cannot charge the battery.
It’s recommended you drive around at least an hour or two every week to ensure that your battery has enough charge. Thus, if you’re not using your car, it’s best to turn it off to conserve the battery’s charge.
8. Insulate your car’s battery
Insulating your car’s battery can help protect it from extreme temperatures and prevent it from losing its charge. You can use a battery insulation kit to wrap the battery and keep it insulated.
Therefore, it’s recommended to use a car battery insulation kit to insulate your car’s battery and protect it from extreme temperatures. Insulation kits can keep your battery cool in the summer and warm during winter.
9. Keep the battery secure and free from vibration
When driving on rough roads, the battery can vibrate and move around, causing damage to its internal components. Your car’s battery will get damaged and could malfunction if it’s constantly being shaken. To prevent this, make sure that the battery is securely fastened in place and free from vibration.
These are the few practices that could certainly increase the lifespan of your battery.
FAQs
- How often should I check my car battery?
- It is recommended to check your car battery at least once a month.
- How do I clean my battery terminals?
- You can clean your battery terminals using a mixture of baking soda and water, along with a wire brush.
- What is a battery tender, and how does it work?
- A battery tender is a device that helps maintain the charge of your car battery by providing a small, continuous charge when the battery is not in use.
- How long do car batteries typically last?
- Car batteries typically last between 3-5 years, depending on usage and maintenance.
- What should I do if my car battery dies?
- If your car battery dies, you can jump-start it using jumper cables or a portable battery booster. It is also recommended to have a spare battery or battery charger on hand in case of emergencies.
Conclusion
Your car’s battery is a vital component that requires proper care and maintenance to ensure its longevity. By following these nine tips, you can prolong your car’s battery life and ensure that it remains in good working condition.
And remember to check the water level regularly, keep the battery clean, charge it regularly, avoid overcharging, park in the shade, operate car accessories only after turning on the ignition, don’t let your car sit idle for too long, insulate the battery, and keep it secure and free from vibration.