How to Extend Your Car Battery Life in Ardmore, OK

5 Ways to Make Your Car Battery Last

There's nothing more frustrating than heading out to the parking lot only to realize your car won't start. While various factors can cause this, a dead battery is a common culprit.

Car batteries have a limited lifespan, typically between three and seven years, depending on the type and weather conditions. Extreme heat generated by a running engine can significantly impact battery life. This is because high temperatures can lead to quicker fluid evaporation inside the battery, potentially damaging its structure and reducing its longevity. Hence, warmer climates tend to shorten the average lifespan of car batteries.

Regardless of the weather conditions, taking good care of your battery is essential for its optimal performance. Here are some practical tips to help you prolong the life of your car battery:

1. Limit Short Drives

Every time you kickstart your ride, the battery gets a little workout but gets juiced up by the engine while you're on the go. Sadly, if you're only taking quick trips, there's no way for the battery to recharge fully. And if you keep up with these short drives day in and day out, your car battery power will gradually drop until it can't fire up your vehicle anymore. To prolong your car battery's life, try to take it out for spins regularly and for longer stretches. But if your wheels sit idle most of the time, it might be wise to have a battery charger to help maintain that sweet spot voltage.

2. Control Corrosion

Dealing with car battery corrosion isn't just because it is unpleasant to look at. It can mess with how well your battery works. The sulfuric acid in lead-acid batteries can create this nasty gunk that sticks to the cables and terminals over time. This greenish crusty stuff makes it harder for the battery post and terminal to connect properly, forcing the battery to put in more effort than necessary. Luckily, keeping those terminals clean is a pretty easy task:

1. Disconnect the cables.
2. Combine two tablespoons of baking soda with the same amount of water in a small container to create a cleaning paste.
3. Apply the paste to the terminals using a toothbrush, then scrub off any residue with a wire brush.
4. Dry the terminals thoroughly with a clean towel before reattaching the cables.

3. Secure Your Car Battery

For your car battery to last longer and be in its best shape, do not expose it to vibration. Ensure the battery is well fixed, and the terminals are checked frequently, especially if you mostly ride on bad roads. Loose connections on the inside can lead to damage and result in short circuits.

Remember, when securing the battery clamp nuts, don't go overboard. Too tight can also be a problem. Just tighten them until you feel some resistance, then give them an extra half-turn for good measure.

4. Turn Off Accessories When Your Car Is Idle

When you're cruising around in your car, the electronic equipment like radio, lights, and air conditioner get their power from the car battery and alternator as long as your engine is running. But once you switch off the ignition, these accessories rely solely on the battery. This constant drain can wear out your battery faster than it should. Since car batteries aren't designed to fuel electronics when the engine is off, leaving these gadgets on can seriously cut short your battery's lifespan.

5. Test Your Battery Voltage Regularly

Regularly checking your car battery can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns or battery issues while you're out and about. You can have a mechanic test the battery for you, or there are convenient at-home tools that can do the job between service appointments. The most effective way to check your battery's voltage is by using a voltmeter. It's best to conduct the test at least 12 hours after turning your car off to ensure accuracy. A fully charged battery typically registers between 12.4 and 12.8 volts. If your voltage reading deviates from these values, it's advisable to have a professional mechanic inspect your battery.

To extend battery life and avoid any surprising car troubles, it's a good idea to stick to your car maintenance plan and get your battery checked by professionals. When you drop by Toyota of Ardmore in Ardmore, OK, just let our mechanics know you want them to give your battery a thorough check-up to ensure it is working well and charging properly. Our experienced mechanics can spot any issues with a failing battery, suggest solutions that work, and share tips on how to make your battery last longer. Swing by or call us today for everything related to your battery.