Let’s be honest; we’ve all been there at some point in our lives when we were stuck with a flat battery on the roadside, and what worsens the problem is the ‘Modern Equipment.’ Because they don’t offer a warning sign or a prior indication before they leave you stranded with your faulty car- you might thinks that’s your fault. However it’s not always the case.(Car Battery)
Usually, car batteries have a specific calendar, and they last from 2 to 5 years based on climate conditions. But you can still protect your car’s battery life regardless of external factors.
So, today we’ve brought 8 easy tips to extend the lifespan of your car’s battery.
PREFER LONG DRIVES
Your battery needs a specific period to get charged. However, it can’t be possible if you keep your trips shorter. Short car rides do not allow the car’s battery to fully charge. While on average, your car needs a 20 minutes drive to regain the power it had lost during ignition. Driving on long routes will help your car’s battery to stay healthy and robust.
DON’T OVER-TIGHTEN OR LOOSEN THE BATTERY CLAMS
Make sure to use approved battery clamps so it can always be held tightly. Because excessive vibrations can damage your battery’s internal components and even cause short circuits. But, don’t make the mistake of overtightening your battery clamp nuts- otherwise, the battery will get damaged.
TURN OFF ALL THE ACCESSORIES BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Car batteries are the happiest when they are kept close to 100% charge. Thus, keeping the car ignition system, headlights, or other accessories turned on will drain your battery. Therefore develop a habit of checking all your car’s accessories before you exit the vehicle. Also, remember to lock the car doors. This is not just a valuable tip for your car’s security, but your car’s computer system keeps operating when the doors are unlocked, which might also discharge the battery.
TEST YOUR BATTERY VOLTAGE
This tip has nothing to do with increasing your battery’s span, yet it solves the biggest problem. Yes! WARNING SIGN- testing your battery’s voltage over time will give you a prior indication of your battery run-out time so you can replace it or get the repair job done with an auto repair services
The simplest testing method is a voltmeter, where the digital voltmeter gives more accurate results; it’s best to take the reading 12 hours after the car ignition is turned off.
KEEP CHECKING THE WATER LEVEL
If you recently bought a brand-new car or your battery is new, you can be lenient enough to check it once or twice every three months. But don’t take the risk if the battery is 1.5 years or older. Then, you need to make sure that you add water every week. Keep using distilled water because fresh water contains lethal ions for the battery and ultimately reduces its lifespan.
CLEAN THE BATTERY
You might have observed that your battery terminals and lead clamps get corroded with time. The reason is quite basic – and that’s dirt and dampness. Regular use of the battery makes it dirty inside, which causes leakage in the battery’s case. Corrosion also affects the flow of electrons in the battery, due to which its life reduces. Therefore, it is essential that you must get it checked by an auto repair expert once a month.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR CAR UNUSED FOR TOO LONG
Don’t leave your vehicle parked for an extended period of time. If your car stays inactive for days or is just used to complete shorter trips, the battery doesn’t get enough time to recharge.
Your battery works best when fully charged, so it’s best to take it out for a 30-minute drive every once a week. This will warm up the engine and keep your battery fluids running. So, it is best to maintain your car when not in use.
AVOID HEAT EXPOSURE
A popular misconception about winter is that it kills car batteries, which is not exactly true. We’ll tell you why!
Car batteries have to use full strength to get started in winter, but that also happens because of the damage it survived during excessive heat. Excessive heat evaporates all the water from the batteries even when sealed. Thus, when winter arrives, the weaker batteries get entirely wrecked when you try to ignite the car’s cold engine with thick oil.
FOLLOW ROUTINE CHECKUPS
The above 8 tips will help you increase your car’s lifespan. But despite following them, you must maintain your battery regularly and ensures proper wheel alignment. Take good care of the terminals and clamps and clean them with time. Avoid keeping your car in contact with extreme weather conditions, and visit a good auto repair shop occasionally for complete service.