When it comes to your vehicle, there’s nothing more frustrating than a dead battery. Everyone has experienced this at some point, and sometimes you don’t even get a warning of a problem.
Car batteries are made to last, but they won’t last forever. While this is true, there are steps you can take to help extend the life of your vehicle’s battery.
Keep reading to learn what these tips are.
Table of Contents
Avoid Frequent Short Trips
Each time you start your vehicle, your battery is put to work. While this is true, it is also recharged by the engine while you are driving.
It is almost impossible for the battery to fully recharge all the lost power if you only drive short distances. When short trips are taken all the time, the voltage of your battery will fall until the vehicle no longer starts.
You can help extend the battery life you purchase from www.rbbattery.com by taking longer trips and giving the engine time to recharge your battery fully.
Keep the Battery Fastened Tightly
If your battery is not securely fastened in place, it may vibrate and cause short circuits or internal damage.
Make sure to have the battery terminal inspected often. This is especially important if you drive down bumpy roads regularly.
Be sure it is tight and positioned properly in the mounting bracket.
Unplug Unused Devices
If your vehicle is turned off, don’t try to operate any accessories. This includes electronics, lights, the radio, and anything else.
Turning these items on or trying to use them will shorten the lifespan of your vehicle’s battery. Only keep devices plugged in when you are using them.
Keep the Battery Clean
Ensure the top of the battery is dry, clean and that all grime or dirt is wiped off. If the battery is dirty, it may discharge across the grime on the casing. This can cause a small, short circuit, which may cause the battery to die.
As time passes, the battery terminal may corrode, too. Making sure these remain clean from any buildup is an effective way to extend the battery’s life.
You can scrub the battery terminals using a water and baking soda mixture. Rinse them with cold water and dry them with a clean cloth.
Test the Battery
Knowing the condition of your battery is important if you want to maximize its life. Be sure to test the output voltage level using a car battery tester.
This is going to let you know how well the battery is working and when it is time to invest in a new one.
Maintaining the Life of Your Car Batteries
If you want to maintain or extend the life of your car batteries, be sure to use the tips mentioned above. Each of these will help ensure you get the most life out of your battery as possible.
To find more information about all things vehicle-related, be sure to read some of our other blogs.