5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery – Jalopnik

Car batteries can sometimes overwhelm you, leaving you stranded when you need them most. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are things you can do to extend the life of your car battery, whether you use standard lead-acid batteries, flooded batteries, or AGM batteries.

Batteries can deteriorate for a variety of reasons, triggering the dreaded warning light on your dashboard. If the interior or exterior lights dim while the engine is being started, or if you hear a clicking sound when starting, this usually means that the battery is weak or almost discharged. Battery life typically ranges from three to five years for lead-acid batteries, while AGM batteries are said to last between four and seven years.

As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your car battery after five years of use, as the risk of sudden failure increases after that point. That said, you can extend the life of your battery by following these five simple tips.

Parasitic drains caused by aftermarket components that do not turn off after the car is turned off slowly consume power, draining the battery over time. This leads to frequent deep discharges, which can significantly shorten a battery’s lifespan, in some cases even reducing it to two years.

If you suspect an accessory is causing a parasitic drain, turn off the engine and use a multimeter to test the car’s overall power consumption. A value above 50 milliamps indicates that something is quietly drawing current. Please note that you should be able to identify the culprit by removing individual fuses.

If you plan to store the car for a long period of time (for example in winter or when you are on holiday), you should fully charge the battery, disconnect all electrical appliances that could drain the battery, and park the car in a cool place. Battery manufacturers like A skewer recommend that the vehicle be stored at a temperature of approximately 60°F as higher temperatures can accelerate corrosion. It is also recommended to use a trickle charger as these devices can help keep the battery at an optimal charge level when not in use.

The alternator in a car not only supplies electricity to the vehicle’s electrical components, but also charges the battery. During short journeys, the engine often does not run long enough for the alternator to fully charge the battery, which can lead to undercharging and shortened battery life. When short journeys are unavoidable, this problem can be solved by using a battery maintainer.

In the meantime, AAA advises owners to minimize trips of 10 miles or less. For those who can’t, AAA recommends occasional highway driving to allow the battery to fully charge.

Heat can cause a battery to lose charge more quickly and increase wear, while cold temperatures cause the battery fluid to thicken, requiring more energy to start the vehicle. To minimize the risk of battery wear due to extreme weather conditions, it is recommended that vehicles be parked under cover in warmer climates and in a garage when it is colder. If your budget allows it, choose an AGM battery. These can withstand extreme weather better than other types.

Corrosion makes starting difficult and shortens the life of the battery. Cold weather makes battery corrosion more problematic, so remove any buildup from the battery terminals with a brush and a mixture of water and baking soda, then apply preventative grease.

In addition to inspecting the battery for corrosion, it is important to secure the battery to the bracket; Constant vibration can damage the battery’s internal components or cause a short circuit. If the battery is more than three years old, test it annually, or as directed in the owner’s manual. As with most vehicle maintenance, prevention is better than cure. Paying attention to battery health can go a long way toward preventing failure.