Do you know what to do to keep your car battery running well? Here are some tips for extending the life of your car battery.
Tip 1: Keep Your Car Battery Clean
One of the easiest ways to keep your car battery healthy is to keep it clean. Dirt and dust can build up on the battery, which can reduce its lifespan. Make sure to wash your car regularly and vacuum the inside and outside of the battery casing. If you notice that your car battery is starting to lose power quickly, it might be time to take it into for a checkup.
Tip 2: Check the Water Level
If your battery is not charging, it is likely that the water level is low. Checking the water level is a simple way to ensure that your battery is receiving the juice it needs. Add enough water so that the float inside the battery reads full. If you have a digital battery meter, make sure the red light next to “water” is off. If it’s on, turn it off and add more water. Let the battery sit for at least 12 hours after adding new water before using your car or starting your engine.
Tip 3: Avoid Overcharging
When a car battery is overcharged, the cells can become damaged. Damage may occur to the battery’s plates, which can lead to a shorter life. Additionally, overcharging will also cause the battery’s acid levels to rise, which can create corrosion and embrittlement of the cell walls. Overcharging should be avoided at all costs as it will shorten the life of your battery.
Tip 4: Use the Right Battery charger
Some car battery chargers are designed to trickle charge a battery, while others are designed to quickly charge a battery. A trickle charger is usually less expensive than a fast charger, but it may not fully charge the battery. A fast charger is more expensive, but it will fully charge the battery.
Tip 5: Let Your Car Battery Cool Down Before Charging Again
If your car battery is not cooling down sufficiently before being charged again, it will not have a long life. The best way to cool down a car battery is by letting it sit for about 10 minutes without being plugged in. This will allow the battery to generate enough heat to start the chemical reactions that convert energy into motion.
Tip 6: Don’t Leave Your Car Battery Sitting in the Sun or Cold Weather
If you're like most people, you probably think leaving your car battery sitting in the sun or cold weather is a waste of time. After all, it's not like the battery will ever die from being cold or sitting in the sun.
But that's wrong. Leaving your car battery sitting in the cold or sun can seriously damage it over time. The cells inside a car battery can freeze and burst, causing the battery to fail completely. And even if the cells don't burst, they'll slowly lose their ability to hold a charge over time.
So what should you do if you have to leave your car battery alone for a while? Make sure to keep it cool and protected from sunlight or extreme cold temperatures. And make sure to charge it up as soon as you get back in your car. If your car battery is deteriorating, make sure to get a car battery replacement as soon as possible.
By following these tips, you can keep your car battery running well for a longer time.
