How to Keep a Car Battery Running Longer

No one wants to deal with a dead car battery after a long day of work. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid this hassle by properly caring for the battery. These six maintenance tips can help extend the lifespan of a car battery, which usually ranges from two to five years depending on climate and other factors.

Avoid Quick Trips
Driving only a mile or two prevents the car’s battery from warming up. Longer, less frequent trips will help keep the battery in tip-top shape. Those who can’t avoid running short errands around town may want to invest in a portable car battery charger.

Ward Off Corrosion
Drivers should check their batteries each month for signs of wear and tear. Car batteries should be fastened securely in the mounting bracket to prevent bumps in the road from damaging their internal components. Drivers can remove corrosive build-up around the battery terminals with a mixture made up of one part water to three parts baking soda. Also, applying a layer of petroleum jelly around the battery terminals after cleaning them can help prevent corrosion from developing.

Check the Lights Twice
Leaving the lights on is a surefire way to drain a car battery. This includes interior lights, door lights, and headlights. Drivers should get into the habit of double-checking that each light has been turned off when parking for long periods.

Don’t Use Accessories
When a car’s engine isn’t running, using the radio, lights, and other accessories can quickly drain the battery. Drivers should save these items for when the car is completely turned on.

Invest in a Tester
This device tests the battery’s output voltage level, which provides insight into its lifespan and current performance. Drivers can use this information to change their habits if the battery isn’t working to its optimal capacity.

Provide Weather Protection
Extreme temperature changes are detrimental to car batteries. A battery insulation kit can be installed to shield the battery if the vehicle doesn’t come with insulation. Drivers should choose a product that fits the make and model of their vehicles to ventilate the battery during the summer and protect it from the cold.

Even with these precautions, an emergency may still arise. Troyz Towing & Storage provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance and towing for motorists in the Jacksonville area who are stranded because of a dead battery or other car trouble. To learn more about our services, call 904-378-0006 or fill out our contact form.