There is nothing like having a fresh, new car battery. You can rely on this battery to not die anytime soon without the added concern that you will go to start your car one day, only to find out it no longer has any juice left. However, even with a new battery, it is important to take good care of it in order to help it last as long as possible. With these tips, you will be able to extend the life of your new car battery.
Protect the Battery From Extreme Temperatures
Your car battery can handle a lot, but you should protect it from extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures. If your car tends to run hot or you live in a desert area where the temperatures are in triple digits all summer long, you might want to get a thermal blanket. This is a type of wrap that goes over the battery and keeps it protected from getting too hot. You also want to protect the battery from freezing temperatures in the winter, also by using a thermal blanket. You should also let your car warm up after starting it instead of just driving off right away.
Clean the Battery Routinely
Every time you are planning on working on your car with routine maintenance, make sure you also check your car battery. You want to keep the terminals of the battery clean, as they can get buildup and dirt that will then drain the battery's power. Far too many drivers just ignore the battery and terminals completely, letting the buildup essentially kill their battery. Whether you are checking fluids on your car or getting a tune-up, these are good times to check the battery and clean it. All you need is a wet rag to remove the dirt buildup.
Only Use Accessories When Operating the Vehicle
Another common mistake people often make is using the car accessories even when not driving the car. You should keep the radio and GPS unit turned off completely until you have started the car and are about to start driving. Before you turn the car off, turn off these accessories so they aren't using extra battery power when the battery isn't being charged by driving. Also make sure no lights are being used when your car is not running.
It is a good idea to have mechanics take a look at the battery every time you have your car serviced. They can test the voltage and let you know ahead of time when it might be time for a new battery.
Share12 August 2016
Hello, my name is Elliot. I am 32 years old and I live in Perth, Australia. Welcome to my auto blog. When I purchased my car, I didn't really pay much attention to looking after it. The car was really nice, it drove well and looked good. For the first year or so, I had a great time driving around. However, I eventually began to have some problems. The engine sounded rough, the paint job looked really bad and my car just didn't seem very cool anymore. I took it to my local auto garage and they gave me some great advice about how I could care for my auto. Since then, my car and myself have both been much happier.