Car Battery Tips: How To Make Your Car Battery Last Longer

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to get somewhere fast, but right when you turned the key, your car gave out? You cranked the hood open, and it turned out the car battery was flat. Any driver would agree that the unexpected demise of the battery can cause quite the fuss.

Usually, car batteries last for three to five years. Poor weather, car type and the way you handle your car can also reduce the lifespan of your car battery, but there are ways to prevent your battery from giving out prematurely. If you wish to save the extra cost and get the most out of your car battery, then here are a few tips for you.

Cars perform at their best when used regularly. Take your car out on a spin for at least 30 minutes, even if you have no plans of going anywhere. Doing this allows the alternator to rotate the engine and help charge up the battery. Your engine warms up and stays active while the fluids inside your car circulate properly. A sitting car means your battery is just wasting away inside it.

Check your battery proactively every week and especially before you set out for a journey. Making sure the output voltage is at the right level each time can ensure the longevity of your battery. You can check the voltage easily at home using a manual or digital device called a voltmeter. Otherwise, a professional mechanic can do it for you.

If your engine is off, then don't turn on the radio or air conditioner. The battery is enduring the complete load when this happens, which affects the battery life negatively. Also, check before leaving your car for interior lights. Ensure that the lights are off before you park the car in the garage and not turn on your headlights before turning that ignition key.

Your battery drains itself every time you start the car, but it recharges by the engine as you drive. Driving a short distance will not provide much time for the battery to recover the amount of energy it has lost. So over time, the battery voltage will decrease bit by bit until it can no longer start the car. Driving longer allows the battery to maintain a balanced charging to discharging ratio. When not using your car that frequently, carry a battery charger to maintain the correct voltage.

You can only use distilled water to keep the acid inside the battery at a diluted state. When the water is all used up, the acid turns into an unregulated concentrate, causing corrosion from inside out, which wears out your battery sooner than usual. Keep an eye on the water level once a week to refill it as necessary.

It is partially true that cold weather destroys car batteries, and even sealed top batteries are not exempt. The battery has to work harder to start your engine during winter, but the reason it dies out in winter is often due to the heat from the summer before. High heat evaporates the water within the battery, causing it to corrode faster. On the other hand, the battery can drain itself while starting up the car with thick oil. Parking your car under a shade or within a stable temperature can help keep your battery retain its validity, or in other cases, insulate it.