No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, you rely on a functioning battery. The battery is necessary for just about every function your vehicle does, including cranking your engine. Without it, you'll just hear a few sad clicks and realize that your day needs to be put on hold to solve this problem. The good news is that there are steps you can take to limit how often this happens.Â
How long do car batteries last?
Usually, batteries will only last 2 to 5 years, depending on how you treat your vehicle and what kind of conditions it's frequently exposed to. For example, hot weather will wear down your battery much faster than cold weather. There's not much you can do about that, however, unless you plan on moving, so let's look at some helpful tips to get the most out of your battery.
Long Lasting Car Battery
The reason your battery can last for so long is that your car charges it as you drive. If you limit your drives to short trips, your battery may not have time to charge all the way it needs to. To maximize your battery's charging period, take long drives frequently. If that doesn't work with your lifestyle, it might be a good idea to get a portable car battery charger.
Keep Your Battery Fasteners Tight
Your engine uses tiny but frequent explosions to function, so you can be sure that it vibrates pretty violently. This vibration can wreak havoc on your battery if it's not securely fastened in place. Bumpy roads can make the problem even worse, so check your fasteners every now and then to make sure they're tight.
Lights Out
Most modern cars will emit an alert if you open the door when the engine is off and the headlights are still on. This helpful reminder is a luxury to some who can easily forget to turn their lights off. This is likely the most common cause of dead batteries. Do whatever you can to remember to check your lights.
Cleaning Car Battery Terminals
Your battery terminals wear down just like everything else in your car. Over time, corrosion forms and can seriously damage your battery. Fortunately, cleaning the battery is easy. All you need is a toothbrush and a mixture of baking soda and water. Scrub the corrosion, spray the remaining mixture with cold water and dry it off with a clean rag.
Car Battery Testing
Consider buying a car battery tester to check your battery's voltage. This is a great way to avoid unexpected dead batteries which could save you a lot of trouble.
Turn Off Electronics When Idle
Your battery runs all the electronics in your car. The entertainment system and the air conditioning all rely on the battery, so if you're idle, it's a good idea to turn these things off. Your battery charges best when you're moving, so using up the charge while stopped will only wear down your battery.
Battery Care Overall
Keeping your car healthy overall is a great way to keep your battery functioning as it's just one step in the process. It's always a good idea to have your car serviced frequently and even put on a regular maintenance schedule.
Get Your Battery Checked at Ray Price Lincoln
If these tips for keeping your battery long-lasting aren't enough, the service department at Ray Price Lincoln is happy to take care of all of your vehicle service needs. Visit our Service Center today. We've been serving customers in the Stroudsburg, Lehigh Valley and Nazareth areas for years, so you can trust our professionalism. Call us today to schedule your next service appointment.