Everything needs a push to work the same is true in the case of a car that makes our commute hassle-free. The car batteries play a pivotal role and stores power within them. This power is supplied to various components to help the vehicle run smoothly. The average life of the battery is between 3 to 5 years, after which it ends. Sometimes certain factors reduce the lifespan of this critical car component. By taking certain measures one can extend the shelf life of the battery by several years.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Car Battery?
On average, the car battery life is between 3 to 5 years and is affected by certain conditions such as weather, car model, and the way you drive it. Once the battery completes these years, it needs to be changed. Proper cleaning and maintenance would extend the battery’s shelf life by several years.
How to Prolong the Battery’s Life?
By incorporating various strategies, one can stretch the car battery life by several years, and some of them have been listed as follows:
Keep the Battery Terminals Clean
Like other car components, the battery needs maintenance every now and then. Have a look at the connections and ensure that it is free from dirt and grime. A natural powdery substance gets accumulated at the place where cables meet terminals. You can get rid of it by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with a similar amount of water. Make a paste and apply it to every terminal to eradicate the unwanted particles. Clean them using a towel before connecting them again. You can get the tools and sprays available in the market and follow the step-by-step instructions to remove the dirt from the terminals.
Drive Often and Avoid Short Trips
Keeping the vehicle parked and using it only for short trips won’t allow the vehicle to recharge. Instead, head towards bigger trips so that it gains full charge. Ensure that the car isn’t charged after one or two hours, as it would reduce the car’s lifespan.
Be Cautious During Extreme Weather
Nothing affects the car’s battery life than extreme hot or cold temperatures. Therefore, it is vital to check the battery during every season, not just when the weather changes. If you cannot check it by yourself, take it to the mechanic for necessary inspection.
Don’t Sit when the Engine is off Battery Supplies Power to Radio & Accessories
We enjoy listening to music while sitting in the car. Don’t perform this activity, especially when the Engine is off. If your battery percentage is low, avoid driving as the vehicle won’t start and puts additional stress on a battery that would deplete quicker.
Get a Battery Maintainer
As the winters are approaching, are you thinking of locking the car in the garage? Idle batteries lose their charge quite often and charge the batteries after every six months to keep them alive for a long time. Try not to keep it on charging for a while as it would reduce its lifespan by several years. Investing in a battery maintainer is the best course of action as it would keep up the charging levels that are too low or too high.
Place the Battery at Neutral Temperatures
Batteries survive in almost every kind of temperature. The main issue takes place during extreme hot or cold temperatures. During the hot season, the fluid present in the battery starts evaporating, ultimately resulting in overcharging. As the weather gets cold, it discharges by itself and becomes dead over time. Sometimes the electrolytes present in the battery starts freezing and create issues both inside and outside the battery’s case. If the car stays idle during the winter months, it is better to find a neutral temperature for the car.
Perform Car Battery Tests Regularly
The following steps can help you test the car battery and take one step at a time:
- First of all, ensure that there is an adequate electrolyte in every cell.
- Secondly, squeeze the ball and take out the solution with your hands.
- Check the tester level and jot down the reading.
- If the battery is at 80 degrees, Farhenheit take the readings 10 degrees above 80 and 10 degrees below 80.
- In case there is a difference of .05, get a new battery after determining the car battery price from the nearest store.
- If the readings lie between fair to the low category, it’s time to recharge the battery.
How to Identify a Dying Battery?
A dying battery shows the following symptoms, and car battery replacement would resolve the issues in no time:
- Starting the vehicle becomes impossible as the car is unable to deliver sufficient power to every component.
- Once the ignition is moved to the start position, the cranking becomes slower. It is time to compare the prices of car battery replacement cost and get a new one for your car.
- Clicking sounds when the key is turned indicates that the car’s battery is low.
- The headlights start getting dimmer; it is time for a car battery replacement.
- Cars come with electrical accessories, including radio or power windows. If they seem sluggish, buy a car battery from a trusted store such as ‘The Auto Parts Shop‘ and install the new battery as soon as possible.
How Much Does Car Battery Replacement Cost?
The car battery cost generally lies between $50-$120, which may escalate up to $90 to $200.You would come across more than 40 types of batteries in the market, and different factors affect its cost. Therefore, you must have an adequate idea about the battery type before buying the suitable one for your car.
The Bottom Line
Implement the steps mentioned above to increase the shelf life of the car. Ignoring the issues would prevent other car components from working, resulting in a complete shutdown.