5 Effective Ways to Extend Your Car Battery Life

There’s nothing worse than stepping out into a parking lot only to find your car won’t start. While there might be a few reasons your car isn’t starting, a dead battery is a common cause. You may jump-start the car in such instances, but it’s best if you avoid them. And the ideal way of doing that is to take proper care of your battery. But car batteries don’t last forever; eventually, you’ll have to replace your battery. However, if you take care of it, you can maximize your car battery life, saving you money in the long run and avoiding being stuck while on the road. Keep reading to learn ways to extend your car battery life.

Key Takeaways:

• Most car batteries can last between 3 and 7 years, but several factors can lower their lifespan.
• Consider driving your car frequently and for longer periods to extend your car battery lifespan.
• Test your battery voltage regularly, and if the reading falls outside 12.4 and 12.8 volts, have your battery checked by a professional.

How Long Should a Car Battery Last?

Car batteries, on average, will last between 3 and 7 years, depending on the type of battery. Another crucial aspect that affects how long your car battery can last is the weather. A running engine under the hood produces high levels of heat. Add in a scorching hot day, and you’ll drain your car battery, which can result in an increased chance of a dead battery . Moreover, warm weather can cause fluid in your car battery to evaporate, damaging its internal structure. As such, the average battery lifespan is shorter in warmer weather.

How to Extend Your Car Battery Life

Regardless of the weather you drive in, properly taking care of the battery can help keep it functioning correctly. Check out these practical ways to extend your car battery life:

Limit Short Drives

Your battery “works out” every time you start your vehicle but is recharged by the engine during any drive. Unfortunately, if you’re only driving a short distance, it’ll be impossible for the battery to regain the amount of power lost. And if you repeat short drives daily, the car battery voltage will reduce steadily until it can no longer start your vehicle. So, to extend your car battery life, consider driving it frequently and for extended periods. But if you don’t use your car often, you should invest in a battery charger to help maintain the correct voltage.

Control Corrosion

Car battery corrosion doesn’t just appear gross; it also has a serious effect on your battery’s performance. Over time, the sulfuric acid inside lead-acid batteries can cause the corrosive material to build on the battery cables and terminals. This flaky, greenish buildup actually increases electrical resistance between the battery post and terminal, making the battery work harder than it needs to. Thankfully, keeping your battery terminals clean is relatively simple:

• Disconnect the cables
• In a small container, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with an equal amount of water to form a paste
• Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to the terminals, and use a wire brush to remove the residue
• Wipe the terminals dry with a clean towel before reconnecting the cables

Tight Secure Your Car Battery

Vibrations can lower your car battery life. As such, it’s crucial to ensure the battery is properly held down at all times. Also, have the battery terminals checked regularly, particularly if you frequently drive on bumpy roads, to ensure they’re tightly secured in the mounting bracket. If not securely fastened, the vibration can damage the battery’s internal components, creating short circuits and lowering the battery’s lifespan.

Essential Note: Don’t over-tighten the battery clamp nuts, as that could damage the battery too. Instead, tighten the nuts until you feel the resistance started, and then continue for only an additional half-turn.

Turn Off Accessories When Your Car is Idle

Car accessories that are electronically powered, including radio, lights, and air conditioner, are powered by the car battery and alternator when your car is on. But when the car ignition is turned off, the battery is left with no choice but to power these accessories. That puts enormous stress on your battery, which can lead to unnecessary wear and tear. And since your car battery isn’t built to supply energy to electronic devices for prolonged periods, frequently leaving accessories on while the ignition is off can drastically shorten your battery life.

Test Your Battery Voltage Regularly

Proactively testing your car battery can save you a potential breakdown or battery failure while you’re on the roads. A skilled mechanic can perform the battery test for you; there are handy at-home devices available to complete a test between car services. The best way to test your battery’s voltage is by using a voltmeter. For the most accurate reading, you should complete the test at least twelve hours after your vehicle has been turned off. A fully charged battery will typically display a reading between 12.4 and 12.8 volts. If your voltage reading falls outside of these numbers, it’s recommended that a skilled mechanic carries out a professional inspection of your battery.

Extend Your Car Battery Lifespan

To prolong your battery life and prevent the chance of an unexpected breakdown, it’s wise to keep up with your car service schedule and have your battery professionally checked. When you visit our dealership in Honolulu, ask our mechanics to check that your battery is in good condition and is charging correctly. Our mechanics have the skills and expertise to diagnose a failing battery, offer effective solutions, and provide practical insights on prolonging your battery life. So visit or call us today for all your battery needs!

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