Most car batteries have a lifespan of three to five years, but many factors cause a car battery to wear out quickly.
Therefore, in this article, we will present ways to increase the life of the car battery and prevent it from depleting quickly.
Ways to increase the life of the car battery
These are great hacks and tips for car care and maintenance that just need a little attention and getting used to.
Clean the battery electrodes
Like most auto parts, your car battery needs maintenance. Check the battery and connections periodically to ensure that the connections are secure and free of dirt and dust.
Batteries routinely form a powdery (fine) material where the cables meet the electrodes.
To remove them, start by disconnecting the cables, mix in a small bowl 2 tablespoons of baking soda with an equal amount of water and mix to make a paste.
Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to each pole, then use a wire brush to remove the residue.
Finally, wipe the electrodes and dry them with a clean towel before reconnecting them. There are also special oxidation cleaner sprays, electrode protection sprays, and battery electrode cleaners that you can buy to make this process easier.
Drive regularly and avoid short trips
If your car has been parked for days on end or you are only using it for short trips, the car battery will not have enough time to recharge.
Take long trips regularly to help the battery recover a full charge.
You can put off buying stuff and running errands for the weekend so you'll be taking it all on a long trip.
It also saves fuel and reduces emissions instead of going back and forth several times a week.
If you know your vehicle may be out of use for extended periods, consider choosing an ionic liquid (AGM) battery, as it is better equipped to withstand parasitic loads.
Watch out for extreme temperatures
Nothing affects a car battery more than extreme temperatures. If your car is in a hot area, your car battery will quickly wear out.
Cold weather will also be hard on the battery, as it causes the car to use more energy.
Don't forget to check your battery every season, not just when it gets cold. And try to keep it in a cool place.
Turn off all accessories when starting the engine
Accessories such as climate control, seat heating, steering wheel heating, lights, audio, communications, and navigation systems all drain your car's battery.
When operating your vehicle, especially in cold weather, be sure to turn off all accessories.
If you can control your car remotely, be sure to turn off the accessories before turning them on.
Test the battery regularly
Testing your car battery can greatly reduce the chances of the battery being discharged. To check the battery; Do the following.
- Connect it to a multimeter while the car is switched off.
- Connect the red (positive) terminal to the positive battery pole, then the black (negative) terminal to the negative terminal.
- Set the scale to DC Volts and read the results.
- If your battery reads at least 12.4 volts, this means that it is sufficiently charged and should continue to hold a charge.
- If the reading is less than 12.4 volts, the battery may be able to accept recharging.
If not, replace the battery immediately.
While a multimeter will give you a quick indication of battery status, it is not as reliable as equipment found in a garage or professional service center.
If you have any concerns about the reliability of your battery or if it is more than three years old, you should consult a professional to have it checked.
Extending the life of your car battery comes down to proper care, and checking it regularly is all it takes to prevent a sudden breakdown.