How To Extend Life Of Your Car Battery? 8 Expert Tips

The car battery plays an important role in starting the vehicle and provides power to start other systems, i.e, lights and electronics. However, drivers’ neglect and poor driving habits can shorten their lives and affect performance. 

An average car battery usually lasts around 3 to 5 years. However, proper care and maintenance can help you improve the overall vehicle’s battery life and avoid unnecessary replacement. 

So, let’s start! 

Smart Way to Maintain a Car Battery

Avoid Frequent Short Trips 

The first precautionary step is for car owners to avoid short trips, as this prevents the car from fully charging and reduces its capacity. Short drives can drain the battery more quickly than usual, especially if accessories like the AC, headlights, or infotainment are used extensively.

On the contrary, they should drive their car regularly for at least 20-25 minutes to keep the battery activated, charged, and engaged. 

Switch Off Accessories Before Shutting Down

The second most important step to extend the life of your car battery is for car owners to turn off electrical components, including headlights, cabin lights, AC, infotainment, the glove box, and even rear reading lights. 

In addition, they should also not use the accessories excessively while the engine is off. It can also drain your car battery steadily. 

Corrosion on Battery Terminals

Dust, debris, or corrosion on battery terminals can restrict current flow and reduce battery performance. The vehicle owners can use a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste. Afterward, they can use a toothbrush to clean the terminals, rinse them with water, and dry them. 

Important Tip: Apply grease or petroleum jelly to prevent any rust or future corrosion. 

Prevent Improper/Loose Connection of Cables

Another major factor affecting a battery’s performance is improper cable connections. Car owners should ensure the cables are correctly connected to maintain a stable power supply for their cars. Loose cable connections can also interrupt the flow of electricity between the battery and the car’s electrical system. 

Protect the Car From Extreme Temperatures

Another important practice to extend your car battery’s life is to protect it from extreme temperatures. Excessive summer heat can speed up chemical reactions in the battery (especially in a lead-acid battery). Exposure to heat can cause internal battery damage, reducing performance and increasing the risk of sulfation buildup around the terminals. 

Therefore, it’s advised that car owners park their cars in the shade during the summer. 

On the other hand, cold weather can slow down the engine, making it harder to crank and start the vehicle. 

For this, we should consider buying maintenance-free batteries due to their low maintenance and slow evaporation. It also maintains electrolyte levels within the optimal range and delivers higher CCA performance. These batteries start the car better. 

Interesting Information:

Osaka, a leading car battery manufacturer, supplies reliable, maintenance-free batteries with verified CCA values that enhance vehicle efficiency, especially in cold weather. 

Check the Water Level

Some car owners also use lead-acid batteries, which require them to check and maintain the electrolyte level and top them up with distilled water. 

Important Note: Check the electrolyte level at least once a month during the summer. However, car owners can check it every 2 to 3 months during winter. Proper maintenance and follow-up will ultimately increase a battery’s lifespan. 

 Don’t Overcharge the Car Battery

Car owners should also avoid overcharging the battery. This is because, as discussed above, the lead-acid battery is not sealed correctly, and during overcharging, it can release oxygen and hydrogen gases.

In such cases, the battery can explode and disrupt the water’s composition. This, in turn, reduces your battery’s lifespan. 

In addition, the voltage regulator is integrated or attached inside the alternator’s housing. 

If the regulator fails and sends more voltage to the alternator than is needed, it can increase the risk of damaging the car battery and other electrical accessories. 

Check the Alternator

If the car owners have completed all the steps above and your battery is still not functioning correctly, it’s time to examine the alternator as well. A bad or faulty alternator can lead to insufficient charging of the car battery. 

Moreover, the car owners can check the alternator using a digital multimeter by comparing battery voltage with the engine off and then running. A  good alternator should raise the voltage from about 12.4–12.7V to around 13.7–14.5V. If the voltage is not increasing, it means the alternator may not be charging correctly.

Before buying a new one, car owners must have their car battery assessed by a qualified technician. They can get PakWheels’ professional car inspection services, which include a checklist of 200+ checkpoints covering the engine, battery, and other electrical components. Our services are available in major cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. 

Explore more here: How PakWheels Car Inspection Is Better Than Local Mechanics?

However, the next step in the event of a complete battery failure is to buy a new one from a trusted online platform. Curious to know this? If so, keep reading until the bottom line. 

Where To Buy the Best Car Batteries In Pakistan?

PakWheels is the leading platform for buying reliable car batteries in Pakistan. We have verified listings of reputable brands at competitive prices that suit every budget. Our car battery price in Pakistan ranges from this to this. In addition, buyers can use our return and refund policy in the event of any damage or issue. 

Learn more about: Top 5 Car Batteries in Pakistan – Brands & Prices

So, what are you waiting for? Head to PakWheels Autostore and buy your favourite car battery today. 

Final Stance

A well-maintained battery ensures your car runs smoothly and starts without trouble every time. By following a few simple tips and maintaining basic care, the buyers can extend its lifespan and avoid unexpected breakdowns. Small efforts today can save you from big problems tomorrow.