It happens to everyone at some point. You get in your car and try to start it; all you know is that your engine won't turn on. Your car's battery is dead. Sometimes it's due to human error, such as leaving the headlights on. Other times, a battery can wear down thanks to extreme temperatures.
So, how can you extend the life of your car battery? Use these tips to get the most out of your battery and extend its life.
Take Longer Trips
Frequent short trips reduce the lifespan of your car's battery. If you only drive your car on trips less than 20 minutes, your alternator can't charge the battery, causing it to get weaker.
Starting a vehicle takes a lot of energy, and cars need a recharge afterward. However, you aren't giving your car enough time to charge if you only take short trips.
So, what's the solution? Start taking a few longer trips. Enjoy the scenic route once and a while. You'll extend the life of your battery and your vehicle
Don't Let It Sit
If you want to know how to conserve a car battery, make sure you don't let it sit around for too long. Even if you have a new battery, leaving a vehicle sitting around in storage or otherwise untouched can weaken your battery.
Never leave a vehicle inactive for more than two weeks unless you plan to use a battery maintainer. It's a good idea to regularly check your battery's health. Using a multimeter can tell you if your battery is in good shape or not.
A battery at rest should be somewhere between 12.2 and 12.6 volts.
Maintain Your Battery
How long do car batteries last? The average battery lasts about six years, depending on how well you care for it. Regular car maintenance can help extend its life.
You'll want to periodically check your battery and look for any corrosion. Corroded terminals appear white and ashy.
Cleaning the terminals ensures your battery stays in good health and lasts longer.
Check for Parasitic Drain
Parasitic drain is when accessories or components in your vehicle take power from the battery even when the car is off. Examples include the security system, power locks, the clock, and so on.
A small amount of drain is perfectly normal. However, if there's a problem with your electrical system, elements such as sensors and cameras can drain the battery.
You can check for a parasitic drain with a multimeter.
Car Battery Life: Make the Most of Your Battery
Make sure you keep up with regular maintenance, take your vehicle on longer trips, and don't let your car sit around too long. If you use these tips, you can extend your car battery life.
Of course, sometimes batteries just get old and need to be replaced! That's where Prairie Battery can help. We've been providing batteries to customers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for over 20 years.
Shop our selection of automotive batteries to find the perfect fit for your vehicle.