Being trapped in a car with a dead battery is the worst. We’ve all encountered it at one time during our lives, and it’s usually worsened by the fact that modern vehicles only have a few noticeable indications. It’s also likely to occur when you’re outside.
Automobile batteries, like all other batteries, do have a finite period and will ultimately stop holding sufficient power to operate your vehicle.
The typical lifespan of a lead-acid charge is 42 months, but this number can change depending on a number of variables, including heat, distance travelled, and how well your vehicle recharging circuit functions.
But, regardless of the circumstances in your vehicle, here are six recommendations to help you get the most out of your battery with VP Autocare.
1. Avoid making constant short trips.
When you activate your vehicle, it puts pressure on the battery, however, the engine recharges it as you move. If you drive straight a couple of miles, the battery isn’t going to compensate for the lack of energy; if you keep doing this each day, the battery will gradually drop until you are no longer capable of starting the car.
Preserve the battery life in the car by using it frequently and for longer distances. If you wouldn’t drive your vehicle much, you might want to think about buying a rechargeable battery to help keep the appropriate voltage. Battery checks are available at VP Autocare.
2. Ensure the battery is attached.
Include an appropriate battery clip to secure your car battery firmly connected throughout all instances since vibration might reduce its lifespan. If your battery is not properly mounted, vibration and noise can damage its interior parts, resulting in short circuits and a reduction in battery performance.
The battery might be ruined if you overtighten the battery clamp nuts, so be careful not to do that! Alternatively, crank the nuts a further half-twist after tightening them until friction is felt.
3. Minimize how much energy is consumed when the engine is off.
Since car batteries perform best if kept at least 100 per cent charged, leaving your lights on while the engine is off is seriously bad. When stepping out of your vehicle, ensure all of the equipment is switched off, and the lights are off as you leave. Battery inspections are available at VP Autocare.
4. Maintain your battery.
Keep your batteries free of debris and clean at all times. Unclean batteries might charge over the shell’s dust, resulting in little fault conditions and eventually flattening the batteries.
The battery connections may deteriorate with time, so maintaining them clear of corrosion and tidy is a great way to extend the life of your vehicle battery.
Use an old brush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water to clean the connections. Wash the solution with cold water in a plastic container, and then fully dry it with a cloth. Maintain your car with experts in VP Autocare.
5. Monthly check the voltage of your battery.
A lead-acid battery’s lifespan would be shortened the more it’s only maintained partially supplied. Therefore, checking the voltage using a multimeter once a month is a great way to keep an eye on the condition of your batteries. A good battery must have a voltage of 12.7 volts or more when completely charged.
6. Don’t leave the automobile unattended for a long time.
Lead-acid automobile batteries must be maintained fully charged throughout all times to avoid harm. All lead-acid batteries, no matter the manufacturer, will start losing charge over time, a process known as ‘self-discharge.’
It is important to understand that parasitic loads from the car will increase the rate of discharge, therefore if your vehicle will be lying inactive for more than a week, a trickling charger should be connected to keep the battery in good condition.
To learn more about how to improve battery life, consult with professionals such as VP Autocare. You are now acquainted with some helpful hints for maintaining your battery in good working order at all times.
Keep all of these guidelines in mind to ensure that you keep driving your vehicle without incident. Updating your vehicle battery may be pricey as well, so ensure you take exceptional services of it by following these guidelines.