Car batteries are the electrical source of your vehicle. It is responsible for powering the vehicle’s start-up, operation, computer, radio, dashboard lights and many other gadgets.On average, car batteries last between 3 and 5 years, depending on your driving habits, the type of car you own, and various weather conditions.
Even the best car batteries tend to show a decline in functionality with the passage of time. But if you are careful enough to apply a few maintenance tips, you may get successful in extending their life and save yourself from untimely expenditures.
To understand how to make a battery last longer, it’s useful to know some of the basics about them. Batteries work with a combination of water (about 2/3) and sulfuric acid (about 1/3),
Batteries tend to last a bit longer if your car is in a cold environment more often than a very warm environment.
Without delaying any further, let's get started....
1. Your car battery drains even when the car is off-
It’s useful to know that, even when you’re not driving your car, the battery can still be drained from electronic devices that don’t power down with the car – This happens because current is drawn from the battery by car accessories like the security system, the clock, the keyless entry, and radio systems.
This is why people when they return home from long vacations, find their car battery dead.
But to prevent this, Disconnect the battery when not used: Disconnect the connector from the negative terminal of your battery if you know the car will not be driven for two weeks or longer. This will help prevent a gradual loss of charge from powering the vehicle's clock, and other passive electrical items. Make sure you keep the connector away from the battery when you close the bonnet.
2. Clean the Terminals Regularly-
One of the first problems most people have with their car battery is the build-up of corrosion around the terminals.Over time, battery terminals corrode. It just happens, and it doesn't mean that something has gone horribly wrong. However, on a monthly basis, you should inspect your terminals and clean the terminals. To clean them, disconnect the cables and with the help of a toothbrush-make a paste with baking soda and water; pour it over the terminals. Then, using the toothbrush, scrub the terminals clean. After the corrosion is gone, use a clean sponge to clean up the remaining residue and moisture.
Be sure to clean the cable ends the same way for the best result.
Be sure to let it dry, then rub some petroleum jelly on the terminals to prevent future corrosion.
Remember that Corrosion destroys the connection between the battery and the vehicle and many batteries are replaced due to too much corrosive build up.
3. Try not to start your Car Often-
Starting your car takes more battery power than it does to drive your car! If you want your battery to last longer, keep your vehicle running when making short trips, or avoid driving short distances altogether.
4 .Avoid short rides as much as possible-
Frequent trips of less than 20 minutes don’t give your battery enough time to charge. In doing so, they help drain it faster! The power cells take a minimum time to get fully charged and operate in full force. Making them work when they are not completely functional will only affect the performance of the battery. You need to drive the vehicle often and for longer periods. Shorter rides will ultimately result in declining the car battery life.
4 .Avoid short rides as much as possible-
Frequent trips of less than 20 minutes don’t give your battery enough time to charge. In doing so, they help drain it faster! The power cells take a minimum time to get fully charged and operate in full force. Making them work when they are not completely functional will only affect the performance of the battery. You need to drive the vehicle often and for longer periods. Shorter rides will ultimately result in declining the car battery life.
5. Maintain the Proper Electrolyte Level-
If you live in a hot climate, the electrolyte in the battery will quickly burn off, thereby reducing the life of your battery. To keep your battery going, regularly check the electrolyte level. If the electrolyte level looks a little low, top it off with only distilled water. (and that’s important, ONLY use distilled water) Most car batteries indicate if there is a need for water.
6. Don’t turn on the accessories while idling-
The battery is designed to supply a sudden burst of power to the ignition, not for providing energy for electronics and other devices for a prolonged period.Operating lights, radio, and other electronics when the car is idling puts unnecessary pressure on the battery and damage it in the long run.So avoid operating any car accessories or electronics while the car is off.
Every time that you leave the headlights or the radio on, for example, you can lose a few months of your battery life.
7. Drive your vehicle regularly-
Driving your vehicle regularly keeps the battery well charged. If you know your car will be standing for a few weeks, arrange for someone to start it for you, once or twice a week.If the car is left running for a few minutes a week, it will maintain battery charge. If there is no-one around to help, it’s best to disconnect your battery before going away.
8. Park your car in shade during summer-
Keep your car out of the sun as much as possible during the summer. Hot temperatures put much more strain on batteries, and are therefore one of the biggest reasons for battery failures. In the summer, park your car in a garage, or simply in a shaded area any time you can.
9. Check your car’s alternator-
If you’re doing everything I've recommended in this article but your car batteries are still dying early, you’ll want to check your car’s alternator (get a mechanic to check it).Remember the alternator generates electricity and charges the battery when the engine is on.If your alternator is bad it will results in ineffective recharging of your battery and dramatically shorten your battery’s lifespan.
10. Jump starting your dead battery-
Of course, car batteries won’t last forever. Sometimes they die, and when that happens, you have to determine if it can be jump-started, or if it should be replaced entirely.
Strictly speaking, the car battery can be jump-started if it isn’t frozen, cracked, leaking, or damaged in any capacity.
Jump starting can be done using another car or if you have an inverter at home-it's battery is enough to charge your dead battery of your car. *please check my full article on "Jump starting" for details.
Use the stereo, headlights and AC sparingly when the car’s engine isn’t running.Make sure all doors are properly closed when you exit the vehicle and interior lights are turned off.Batteries drain over time, even if the car is off. If you are not going to use the car for a long period of time, consider disconnecting the battery.
Car batteries are very important to maintain and with proper care, you can help make your car battery last for more than a few years.
...so that's for this article...till my next article....HAPPY AND SAFE DRIVING!
