5 Ways To Make Your Car Battery Last Longer

Unless we find ourselves stranded somewhere after having left our interior lights on for twelve hours, most of us don’t think too often about our car batteries.

1. Insulate the battery

When your battery is exposed to extreme temperatures, it tends to lose its charge all the more quickly. You can protect it from the outside heat and cold by simply wrapping a small insulation blanket around the battery. Make sure it fits snugly, so that on really hot days (or cold ones) your battery is able to continue functioning at its optimal temperature.

2. Use your vehicle regularly

Despite what some people may think, an idle car battery can't hold a charge indefinitely. In fact, it will slowly begin to discharge whenever it is not being actively charged by the engine. As such, you should make sure to drive your car regularly if you want to get the most out of your battery, because every time the battery drains and you have to jump start your car, it reduces your battery life.

3. Only use vehicle electronics when the engine is running

Cars are impressive machines. When the engine is running, not only is it supplying energy for propulsion, but it is also powering all of the car's electrical systems, including the radio, AC, and headlights. But once that engine shuts down, all of those electrical systems begin to draw power directly from the battery. Make sure to turn off all extraneous electrical systems whenever you shut down your car, otherwise you may end up harming your battery (but that doesn't mean you should be using your phone while your car is on either...).

4. Keep the battery case clean

Most people aren't too concerned with how clean the area is underneath their vehicle's hood, but they really should be. When dirt, grime, and rust get into the battery case, they can damage the battery or cause it to lose its charge. Have you mechanic do a quick battery case cleaning whenever you take your vehicle in for a tuneup.

5. Keep your vehicle properly maintained

You may think of your battery as something separate and distinct from your engine, but the truth is that the two systems have a way of affecting each other. A poorly maintained engine can actually overload and damage a car battery, reducing its overall lifespan. Make sure to have your vehicle regularly serviced, so that you can avoid this issue, as well as the countless other problems that come from neglecting your car.