The human body is very mysterious things even then it needs proper care, rest, many more to extend the lifespan. Although we do not know when and how will we die. But automobile like a car is not like that. A car almost entirely depends on its battery.
So, the average life of a car battery and taking care of it is a very important part to extend the battery life. A car battery demands enough power and electrical appliances to work better.
It would be the worst feeling for you if you are out in your car and then see the warning signal. No battery will give you a lifetime warranty or unlimited life span as well as a car battery.
All you can do is extend the time frame but it is also depending on different situations. A question may pop up your head that what is the average car battery life? Well, you can discover the question here.
What is the Average Life of a Car Battery
Almost all the car batteries life span is nearly the same. If you use them carefully and maintain some things like driving habits, properly charge, etc, you can extend the battery life 2 to 3 years more. Weather is also a big fact here. So overall you can say, an average car battery life span is 3 to 5 years.
And the time frame cannot be changeable, you can just help the batteries from dying early. So you should poorest driving habits and properly maintain the “normal” situation of your automotive battery.
Causes of an Early Dying Battery
Before understanding how to extend the average life of a car battery, you will need to know why the lifespan reduces. Here are some of the things you should know.
Poor Maintenance Can Lead to Dead Battery
Solid maintenance of any materials makes them serve longer. So do the jeep, truck, and other car using the battery. if the charging system is not powerful enough, or if you drive roughly, it will affect the battery plates.
Check the battery regularly. If you can take the battery out of the car safely using mechanical tools of Huskey and other brands. Clean it and maintain it properly.
Also, if the weather is hot and the engine is heated for a long drive and other, the capacity of a car battery will reduce drastically. If you continue doing less maintenance or keep them at risk you will find a dead battery in a short period.
Discharge Effect of Lead Acid Batteries
Batteries, whether it is Lead-acid or other forms are mainly used for AC, lighting, radio, etc. if you use them always even when it is not needed, the batteries will reduce its power slowly.
Batteries also need rest and demand proper use. So if your car has few electric devices, the life cycle of batteries will stay stable.
Bad Driving and Its Impact on Automotive Battery
A bad driving style will make a very negative impact on a battery. An absurd thing is if you do short drive regularly, your battery will lose a huge amount of power rather than a long drive. So a proper charging system is mandatory for a battery.
And the most important thing is the lack of inspection of your car and car battery every day. When you are driving roughly on a rough road, the excessive vibration of your car makes the battery more damaged.
Rate and Voltage: Control the Charge
If you do not have a charger controller, your battery will face a problem. Because you cannot regulate the charging rate and voltage without it. The charging system of an automotive battery is not like other devices. There are no maintenance-free batteries in the world that will not require control over its uses and charge.
It is because the chemical reaction inside it may cause the condition depending on some other factors like overcharging and undercharging.
When your battery charge reached 90% (lead-acid), the charging time of the remaining 10% will cause the voltage up and down which affects the battery if you do not have the charger controller.
Also, an overcharge will not make any difference. Different type of battery contains different voltmeter. For example, if the battery is Gel, the volt of a charge status is 13.8 to 14.1 volts.
AGM battery status is 14.4 to 14.6 volts. So when you see your voltmeter reached between 11.8 to 12.0 volts, you can discharge your battery.
Temperature (Hot and Cold temperatures)
Excessive temperature creates a vital role to impact your car battery. So the weather condition is very important. The researcher said that in winter, lead-acid batteries operate best rather than in summer.
Extremely high and extremely cold temperatures are not good for your automotive battery also the temperature of a heated engine will add to your battery cycle in summer. So optimal operating temperature is also mandatory for your battery.
Chemistry of Car Batteries and How to Extend
If you want to understand the Chemistry of Batteries, then you should first know which is your battery type and how to maintain them safely. There are two major types of batteries:
- Traditional Lead-Acid Batteries
- Electric Vehicle Batteries (lithium cobalt oxide cathode)
Two separated lead plates are consisting of surfer/battery acid solutions. When you charge the battery fully the negative plate becomes lead and a positive plate contains lead dioxide solution. The electrolyte here becomes sulfuric acid in a concentrated form. Lead and lead dioxide work differently when you start to discharge the battery.
The electron starts to transfer through the solution from the negative plate to the positive plates. When the battery is fully dead, the solution becomes water with keeping both plates into lead sulfate.
That is why you shouldn’t want to overcharge the battery or make it fully discharged often if you want to keep battery life in proper shape.
What if the car battery has gone out of health, then you will know it is the time to replace the battery?
Symptoms of Automotive Battery Problem
If you see any leakage or corrosion, or your battery charge is down quickly, those are the symptoms of a battery problem or a dying battery. Also, if you smell bad, like rotten eggs, it is time to change your battery.
Some car has a warning light system so it will add extra benefits to understand when your car battery has problems.
How do you Extend the Life of a Car Battery?
See a few tips to maintain your automotive battery and extend its lifespan.
Inspect the Power and Works Regularly
You should inspect your car battery at least once a month. You can find many electronic testers in the market to test the battery. Or you can call a technician to check the battery condition. it will reduce the chances of the destruction of connection to the lead-acid battery.
Also, you need to clean your battery and make it free of dust. If you see any corrosion you can use any acidic or alkaline to remove it. Also, you should test your battery every six months when you change the oil and do some small tests regularly.
Limit Your Short Drives
Regular short rides reduce car battery life span. It also affects the charging system because whenever you start the car engine, to get the perfect compression ratio and crank power, the battery needs full power to operate.
So, you should often drive your car but for a long time. You should use a portable automotive battery charger to decrease the problem. See, when the battery is fully charged, how things go.
The Battery Should Tightly be Fastened
Sometimes you have to drive on a rough road where your car will vibrate till the road end. So, it is a mandatory thing to tightly fastened the truck, car, or jeep battery to survive the situation. Otherwise, excessive vibration makes the battery internal damage and will create a short circuit.
Also over tighten is damage the battery clamp. Whenever you planning to go to a place where you have to cross bumpy roads, check the battery if it is tightly fastened or not. That will make your battery go long.
Control the Corrosion and Clean the Battery Regularly
Dirt can reduce battery power and create a short circuit over time. Actually, the chemical reaction inside the battery unit leads to decreasing batteries’ lifespan.
Also, dirt is the cause of growing corrosion on the battery (inside the part near sulfuric acid) and casing. So, cleaning dirt regularly is a very important factor to keep battery life long. To remove corrosion, scrub the area with an old toothbrush and dry it completely. Corrosion is a bad thing that reduces battery power.
Care Your Battery in Different Weather
Weather plays a vital role in the car battery. If you do not start the engine for long in winter, the battery will use huge power to start it.
Overheat is bad for car batteries, so do over a cold is. To prevent heat exposure, your car parking area should be a cold and shady place and of course, water-free. Overall, you can call it a cooler garage.
How to Save a Car Battery When Not in Use
The car battery requires regular checking and regular use. If you do not use the battery for long, it will reduce its power. The battery also demands full charge every time.
Even if you are not using this, it will naturally lose its charge. So, before replacing your car, you need to replace the battery as well.
When you are planning to leave your car, turn off all the lights and other things that are connected to the lead-acid battery. Because when your engine is not running, air condition, lights, charging system, the radio will give extra pressure on the battery.
When you are going on vacation, it will be better to disconnect the best winch battery for the car and properly store it. It will also save battery juice and save your money. Also, you should charge your battery often to keep it safe and ok.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
You cannot deny the importance of maintaining a car battery regularly. Just follow some tips and your battery will serve you for a long time.
- Always try to charge your lead acid battery fully.
- Keep the battery dry, clean, and dirt free.
- Inspect your truck or jeep battery regularly. Always check the wire, clamps, cables if there is any breakage, leak, or any loose connection.
- Keep your battery away from gas, water, any acidic things, and also dumpish area.
- Before connecting it to a charger, fill the battery with decriminalized water but do not overflow it. Also do not use sulfuric acid to it.
- Before you start the car, you should see if the battery is in proper condition.
- Remove all the corroded materials and try to change the car battery.
- Whenever you are going to store the battery for a long time, fully recharge it and check the voltage power regularly.
Final Thoughts
If you are a car lover you cannot deny the importance of a car in our daily life. After buying a car, you should maintain it properly. The battery is a potential thing and it needs to be proper care and maintenance.
Although no battery will serve you more than its average time. But you can keep them work longer. Just follow those mentioned tips and bingo!
Thanks for pointing out that the slightest signs of corrosion on my car battery is not a good and I should start thinking about replacing it. My car has been stopping a lot lately and I’m worried that it might cause accidents in the future if I’m not careful. If this turns out to be a problem with the battery, I will surely get a replacement as soon as possible.