Do you find yourself replacing your car battery frequently? How do you extend your car's battery life? What are the ways? They usually last around 3-5 years so, if yours last only 1-2 years, you must be doing something wrong. Here now are some tips on extending your car's battery life.
A Calendar Life
Every car battery has a limit to its lifespan. So, even if you take care of your car battery perfectly, it will still die one day. Car batteries have a "Calendar Life" which means that, whether you use them or not, you will need to replace them. Once a battery reaches the end of its Calendar Life, it will become flat.Electrolyte Level
Always check the water level or the electrolyte level. Make sure the level is not too low and, if necessary, top it up. Use distilled water only (boiled and allowed to cool). Avoid overfilling and mop up any spillage. It’s wise to check the levels monthly in summer because a high temperature can cause the water to vaporize or boil off.Switch Off Everything
Or "turn off before you turn on". This means that you should make sure the lights, heater, rear-window demister, radio, seat-warmers, and windscreen wipers are all turned off before you start the car. In cold weather, a fully-charged battery provides less than half of the power it does in warm weather, and switching on the lights and other accessories before you start the engine will drain the battery even quicker.Recharge It
Yes there is a way to recharge your batteries. You can do this by taking a one-hour, daylight drive each week. This is especially important if you usually only drive short distances or take infrequent trips. Running the engine at idle or taking short stop-and-go trips is not sufficient to recharge the battery and can shorten its life.Regular Maintenance
A poor engine condition can overload the battery, so ensuring your car is serviced regularly will prolong the life of your battery. You yourself can perform regular maintenance by:- Doing a monthly inspection of the battery terminals to make sure they are clean and corrosion free
- Making sure that the car battery is secure and has good battery cables
- Insulating your car battery from extreme changes in temperature
