Car Battery Life: How To Keep Your Car Battery Running Longer
Car batteries are one of the most commonly known batteries. It is also the battery that can cause the most trouble. We all know what can happen if your car battery dies, but how do you know how much time you have and what can you do to make the life of your car battery life last longer? At Polar Battery, we have almost 40 years of experience behind us. In that time we have gained a lot of knowledge about the ins and outs of car batteries.
The average car battery has a lifespan of about 2 to 5 years. A major influence on your battery’s life is weather. When in use you car creates a lot of heat. Add to that the heat of summer. The extra heat takes a serious toll on your car battery. This is often why car batteries in hotter areas of the world have a much shorter lifespan. Cold weather is actually good for a car battery life as it helps to cool it down.
Another action you can take to improve your car battery’s life is to avoid short car rides. Your car batteryneeds time to fully charge to maintain its power. Short car rides do not give your battery the time it needs. If you find yourself making a lot of short car rides we recommend trying to schedule all of them into a single day, or walking if you do not have to go far. Of course, be sure that when you exit your vehicle all lights have turned off. We would recommend purchasing a portable car battery charger so that you don’t have to rely on the kindness of a stranger. Occasional charging is also a great way to maintain your battery’s power. Polar Battery offers a wide array of charger brands and our battery experts can help you be sure you are getting the right charger for your batteries.
One of the most important things you can do to help improve the life of your car battery is the routine maintenance of not just your battery, but your car as well. Your vehicle is like your body, it needs everything working together properly to remain in peak condition. If something is not working correctly extra stress is put on other components in your car, which will cause them to break down faster. You also want to be sure your battery is properly taken care of. Keep the battery securely fastened in place, as a loose battery can rattle around and cause internal damage, especially if you are driving on a lot of bumpy roads.
Like any battery over time, the terminals of your car battery will begin to corrode. This is by no means a death sentence. Just unhook the battery and clean the terminals with a small brush and some anti-corrosion cleaner, or just a mixture of baking soda and water. After you have done this use a spray bottle full of water to clean off the terminals and then dry with a clean cloth. Make sure that the terminals are completely dry, as a wet battery will lead to further corrosion.
Another action you can take to improve your car battery’s life is to avoid short car rides. Your car batteryneeds time to fully charge to maintain its power. Short car rides do not give your battery the time it needs. If you find yourself making a lot of short car rides we recommend trying to schedule all of them into a single day, or walking if you do not have to go far. Of course, be sure that when you exit your vehicle all lights have turned off. We would recommend purchasing a portable car battery charger so that you don’t have to rely on the kindness of a stranger. Occasional charging is also a great way to maintain your battery’s power. Polar Battery offers a wide array of charger brands and our battery experts can help you be sure you are getting the right charger for your batteries.
One of the most important things you can do to help improve the life of your car battery is the routine maintenance of not just your battery, but your car as well. Your vehicle is like your body, it needs everything working together properly to remain in peak condition. If something is not working correctly extra stress is put on other components in your car, which will cause them to break down faster. You also want to be sure your battery is properly taken care of. Keep the battery securely fastened in place, as a loose battery can rattle around and cause internal damage, especially if you are driving on a lot of bumpy roads.
Like any battery over time, the terminals of your car battery will begin to corrode. This is by no means a death sentence. Just unhook the battery and clean the terminals with a small brush and some anti-corrosion cleaner, or just a mixture of baking soda and water. After you have done this use a spray bottle full of water to clean off the terminals and then dry with a clean cloth. Make sure that the terminals are completely dry, as a wet battery will lead to further corrosion.
It is also a good idea to turn off all electronics in your vehicle while you are idling. We know it’s tempting to leave the radio on while you’re waiting for someone to quickly pop into a store, or leave the air conditioning all on a hot summer day. However, leaving these things on while the engine is off puts extra wear and tear on your battery and a greatly reduce its lifespan.
Eventually, though, a new battery will be inevitable. So let our Polar Battery experts in Vancouver, Kamloops and Vernon help you find the right battery for the right machine. Whether you are replacing a car battery or the battery for your boat we have a wide range of batteries in high-end brands that are guaranteed to get you moving! Contact us today if you need a consultation! Please see the form below. We are located in Vancouver, Kamloops and Vernon, BC.
