Car batteries have an average lifespan of up to five years. However, many only last for 2-3 years total.
There are a host of issues that can lead to reduced battery life such as short-circuited cells, broken plates and low fluid levels. The climate in your location plays a huge factor in how long your battery will last (car batteries in cooler climates tend to last longer than their counterparts in hotter climates).
Prolong The Life Of Your Car Battery
There are still some simple things that you can do to increase the lifepan of your battery.
Hide the car from the sun
Excessive heat is practically killing your car battery. Extremely hot temperatures can cause the battery fluid to evaporate even when the vehicle is parked. Sure, you can’t control the weather but you can definitely hide your car from the sun. Always use your carport or find shade if you don’t have one, especially during summer time.
Ensure that the battery is properly secured
When the car battery is loose from its rack and not tightly installed, it vibrates when the car is moving, especially on bumpy roads and off-road tracks. All that excess vibration can lead to broken plates and short-circuits that can shorten battery life. Make sure that the battery is properly secured to avoid damaging its internal system.
Minimize short trips
To get the most out of your car battery, avoid short drives. Though this sounds counterintuitive, it really isn’t when you know how your car battery actually works — quick trips prevent the battery from charging fully. On the other hand, long drives are far more helpful in maintaining the battery power.
Keep the battery terminals clean
Another cause of shortened battery life is unmaintained battery terminals. Over time, dirt and corrosion build up, and they cause damage to the battery. Dirt becomes a conductor of electricity, which drains the power, while corrosion inhibits the flow of power and causes deformity of the battery terminals. Always clean the battery top to avoid this accumulation of dirt on its terminals.
Turn off electronics during idle time
Turn off the lights, radio, AC, and other entertainment accessories if you know you will be idle for some time (i.e., when picking-up someone) to prevent power draining. Moreover, avoid idling for a long time because it can wear down the car battery. And after charging your smartphone on your car, don’t forget to unplug it because though it has become fully-charged, the phone continues to suck power from your car battery just because it’s plugged.
Have the battery checked
Inspect the car battery regularly and watch out for any deformities or dirt build-up. Check its condition by testing the voltage output level. If possible, get battery service from a professional once in a while to know if your battery is still properly working or if it’s time for a replacement.
As long as you follow these sensible tips on car battery maintenance, there’s no reason for your battery to go out sooner than it should. You might even already know some of them! But hey, a little reminder goes a long way. At the of the day, you just need to remember that the car battery needs just as much love as the whole vehicle itself.
We hope this information will help you to get basic information about your car battery. If you need any information related to car finance, call us 1300 889 669 or apply online.