A car battery has a limited lifespan, but there are a few tips to make it last longer and not to change car battery. Discover our 10 tips to save it.
The batteries in your car have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, depending on the use and maintenance provided. You can use some simple actions to save your car's battery in order to increase its lifespan and not to jump start.
Just like your cell phone battery, the car battery cycles and wears out. Over time, your car sends you signals that the battery is low. Fortunately, there is a way to extend the life of this essential part of your vehicle's operation to save money on your car's maintenance.
HOW DOES THE CAR BATTERY WORK?
The Fastfix car battery is one of the key parts of your car and the best brand of it. It is not only used to operate the car, but it also controls the operation of many safety functions, such as the lights, the horn or the power steering.
Batteries produce energy by chemical reactions that take place inside, and any chemical reaction is affected by temperature, whether normal or extreme. The operation of a battery is not linear, but it is up to you to protect it in order to have optimal operation over time.
We give you 10 tips accessible and applicable by all.
HOW TO SAVE YOUR CAR BATTERY?
1. Avoid too short trips.
The energy stored in your car's is just enough to run your car when starting up, which is when it needs more power. Then the alternator starts working and produces more energy to recharge the battery and keep the other components of the car running.
If you make very short daily trips, your car battery will undergo a very fast charging and discharging process, which could affect its life cycle and smooth operation. If you regularly make trips of less than 5 km, you should start your car and wait a few minutes before switching on the first, so that the battery completes its charge cycle.
If your car has a turbo engine, this process can even help you take care of the life of your engine and allow your battery to support the acceleration process.
2. Make sure your battery is properly installed
Your car battery should always be secure and securely in place. If it is not properly secured, you may damage it when traveling on roads with more uneven ground, this can cause the cables to come loose and interfere with the charging of the battery. It may even suffer a short circuit.
A loose battery will not affect its lifespan, but may pose risks to your safety. Regularly check that the battery cables are in optimal condition and that the battery is seated properly.
3. Always turn off your vehicle's lights
Newer cars have an "automatic" feature which causes the low beam headlights to go on as soon as the light goes dark or when you pass through a dimly lit area such as a tunnel. Some cheaper or older cars do not have this feature, so remember to always turn off the car lights when you get out of your vehicle.
Even if your car has an "energy saving" mode and removes all electronic components before you can turn it back on, the fact that the car is idling without the alternator replacing it can affect the battery components. , thus limiting its lifespan.
4. Monitor the corrosion level of your battery
Each battery has two very strong acids inside and depending on the season, it is normal for the battery terminals to corrode over time, which can affect their proper functioning. If you notice that your battery terminals are rusting, brush them off with a steel brush and soda water.
You can also apply a lubricant spray to improve the protection of your battery which will save you maintenance costs and improve its lifespan.
5. Disconnect your battery if you are not using your car.
If you do not plan to make any trips, for example on a long weekend, you can disconnect the terminals of your battery. A car, even at a standstill, continues to consume energy, since the clock, odometer, and all memory functions constantly require a battery to function properly. To prevent it from completely discharging and thus consuming a battery cycle, you must disconnect the cables connecting the alternator to the poles of the battery.
6. Frequently test your car battery
You should regularly test your car battery by connecting the positive and negative poles to a voltmeter. If the reading result is less than 12V, your battery is not able to power the electrical part of your car, and sooner or later will not even allow you to turn on the ignition to start the car.
Note: The color or red signal (+) corresponds to the positive pole. The color or black signal (-) corresponds to the negative pole. Never connect the two cables at risk of moderate electric shock.
7. Do not use electronic equipment with your engine off.
If you are used to listening to music in a stationary car, be aware that this habit can end your battery life prematurely. The same applies if you like to cool off with the car's air conditioner when the car is stationary.
Both of these bad habits affect the way your car's electronic components work when the battery is not charged and cause the battery to wear out prematurely.
8 Protect your battery from temperature fluctuations
Protecting the battery from extreme temperature spikes can help you save the car battery and prevent wear and tear on the internal battery components. Some newer cars already have a function to protect it from cold or extreme heat. Older models will need thermal insulation kits for the batteries.
9. Invest in a good quality charger
Investing in a good quality car battery charger will maintain an ideal level of charge when the car is not in use or needs to be stopped for a longer period (vacation period, for example).
10. Limit electronic devices
If you have kids and you have to take the road for long trips, you've probably invested in devices like DVD players that you'll plug into your car's cigarette lighter. If these devices bring advantages to occupy the children or the adults, we advise you to use them sparingly and to reserve them only for long journeys exceeding two hours.
It is the same for recharging your smartphones, it is better to leave with a well-charged smartphone or to use an independent external charger and reserve the charge of your smartphone in extreme cases or if you have used the GPS function of it and you need an occasional recharge.
For more information: fastfix.com.sg