Tips to Keep Your Car’s Battery Healthy
During its lifetime, a car battery undergoes significant temperature fluctuations. The tremendous heat generated by the engine deteriorates the power of the battery quickly. A battery will last up to 4-5 years in cold weather conditions, while the battery's lifetime is shortened to approximately 2-3 years during hot weather conditions.
Car batteries have a short life span, much like the battery in your cell phone or laptop, and ultimately lose their capacity to retain enough power to fuel your car. You should expect a car battery to last about 60-72 months on average, however, this time period can differ based on several factors, such as hot or cold temperatures, trip lengths, and the charging circuit performance of your car.
Tips to Keep Your Car’s Battery Healthy
Regardless of what situations your car is used to, here are few ideas that you should follow to help get the most out of your battery.
- At Periodic Intervals Switch on the Car Battery: If the car is not used or driven for an extended amount of time, the battery loses its charge. The battery's power drains fast. It is necessary to keep the battery fully charged at all times to avoid any damage to the car. It is prudent to start the car and take it for a drive regularly to avoid any damage to the battery. Car batteries that lose its charge totally need a jumpstart to start the car.
- Minimise the Usage of Battery: When the engine is not working, car batteries discharge more rapidly. Important battery capacity is exhausted from leaving the headlights/interior lights and music systems, which impedes the overall battery life. Ensure the interior lighting and gadgets are turned off once you leave the vehicle.
- Keep the Battery Clean: Do not allow dirt to accumulate on the battery, which can lead to the battery charge being drained by the dust on the battery casing. This can also lead to a short circuit which can destroy the battery. Over time, the battery terminals often corrode, therefore it is important to clean the terminals to reduce corrosion due to dirt.
- Minimise Exposure to Heat: The battery life reduces significantly when subjected to intense heat which evaporates the battery fluids. The battery does not take much charge to start the car in the winters, however, batteries will still fail even during the winters due to the damage done in the summer. Park your car in a shady location wherever possible in the daytime to shield it from extreme heat in the summer season. Maintain a good balance by mixing the battery with distilled water (it mitigates the cell damage) caused by overheating and extending the life of the battery.
- Insulating the Battery: Cover your car batteries with insulated covers. As new models of cars are being developed for improved fuel economy and aerodynamics, the hood room has been reduced. This impacts the engine's airflow, making the battery more prone to heat, contributing to a shorter life cycle. Using an insulation cover to shield the car battery protects the car from both excessive heat and cold.
- Check the Battery Voltage: The life of a car battery can decline drastically when it is half charged or left uncharged. By testing the voltage once a month with a voltmeter, you can check your battery life.
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Bottom Line
Cover your vehicle from breakdowns by merely holding the above points with your car battery. Not only could you save money by purchasing a new car battery frequently, but you can even make a difference in the conservation of the ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
