A car battery can last three to five years. Yours might last longer or shorter than average. But when it starts to show signs of kicking the bucket, it’s time to replace it with a brand-new battery. You don’t want to push your luck and wait until you’re stranded and have to call AAA for help.
While the battery will need to be replaced sooner or later, you don’t need to shorten its life. But that’s exactly what you might do if you’re guilty of any of these 16 things.
Parking the Car for Too Long
Leaving a car parked and unused for too long isn’t good for the battery. Use a battery maintainer or trickle charger under those circumstances. At the very least, start up the car periodically even if you’re not driving it. Otherwise, the battery’s health will suffer.
Subjecting the Battery to Extreme Temperatures
Batteries function best when the temperatures are moderate. When temperatures are extreme in the summer and winter, your car’s battery will take a licking. It’ll keep on ticking, but it’ll have a shorter lifecycle if regularly used when the temperatures are too high or too low.
Taking Too Many Short Trips
Short trips are one of the enemies of a vehicle’s battery. Driving too few miles might not give the battery sufficient time to recharge since the alternator won’t be able to do its job. You can extend the life of your car’s battery by cutting back on short trips.
Leaving Vehicle Light On
Leaving the lights on in your vehicle can drain the battery. If you’ve owned a car for any length of time, you might have some first-hand experience of this. No one wants to wake up to a dead car battery. Letting this happen too often can ruin your car’s battery life.
Overcharging the Battery
Overcharging is another mistake that can shorten the lifespan of your car’s battery. It can overheat the electrolytes out of the cells and damage the cell plates.
Failing to Secure the Battery Properly
You must ensure your battery is properly secured under the hood. Failing to do this may lead to excessive vibration that shakes the vitality out of your car’s battery. Vibration can lead to catastrophic failure by destroying the internal components.
Letting Corrosion Do a Number on the Battery
Your battery needs maintenance. Otherwise, corrosion can accumulate on the terminals. That will strain the connection between your vehicle and the battery. You don’t want corrosion to shorten the life of your vehicle’s battery.
Using the Wrong Battery
You must get the correct battery for your car. A smaller battery not designed for your vehicle might save you money, but you’ll be asking for trouble. That’s especially true when extreme temperatures put more strain on the battery. Get the right battery for your vehicle to avoid unnecessary issues like reduced performance and a shorter lifecycle.
Buying a Bargain-Basement Battery
When buying a battery, you’ll find different types that fit your car. Some are better than others. You don’t have to buy the most expensive battery, but you don’t have to buy the cheapest either. Compare what you pay versus what you get before deciding which to buy.
Failing to Have Battery Health Checked
If you start experiencing issues — like sluggish start-ups — get your battery checked. Doing so will help you stay on top of issues and possibly extend the life of your car’s battery. Sometimes the problems have nothing to do with the battery — like a faulty alternator. Asking your mechanic to check the battery’s health is a good investment.
Handling It Improperly
Vehicle batteries function best in moderate weather. So, if your sports hibernates during the winter, remove the battery, bring it indoors, and use a trickle charger. But don’t drop the battery. That’s asking for trouble. Handle your car’s battery with care or the longevity will suffer.
Opting Not to Clean Your Battery Regularly
An easy way to get more life out of your vehicle’s battery is to keep it clean. Focus on getting dirt and grime off the battery. Wipe it away with a dry cloth. If you do this once monthly, that should be enough to keep your car’s battery clean.
Using Electronic Accessories When the Car Is Off
When your car’s engine is off, that’s not the time to use electronic accessories. Doing so will drain the battery since the alternator won’t be operating. Doing this too often will negatively impact the life of your car’s battery.
Adopting Certain Driving Behaviors
Certain driving habits can shorten the lifespan of your car’s battery. For instance, driving like a maniac around corners and making abrupt stops can loosen the battery connection, cause too much vibration, and increase wear and tear on the battery.
Buying a New Battery That’s Too Old
When you buy a new battery, ensure that it’s new. In other words, look at the date listed on the new battery. It’s best to find one made within the last month if prioritizing the best performance. You don’t want a new battery that’s been sitting around for a while.
Failing to Clean Battery Cables
Don’t forget the cables when cleaning your vehicle’s battery. Mix some water and baking soda to create a cleaning solution, and use a non-metallic brush with the solution to clean the cables.
Stop Doing These 16 Things If You Want Your Battery to Last Longer
Spending hundreds of dollars on a car battery only makes sense if you maintain it. You might be doing things that are ruining your car battery’s life. And, if you are guilty of any of these 16 things, stop doing them for the sake of the battery.
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