4/17/2015 3:22:00 PM by Crash Champions Collision Repair Van Nuys Oxnard
The typical life of a battery is anywhere from 2-5 years but we often hear of people complaining that they are replacing their batteries every 1-2 years. Well, there is good news. There are several ways you can increase the lifespan of your vehicle’s battery.
Everything works better when clean, and that goes for your vehicle’s battery as well. Battery terminals are common spots for corrosion build-up which blocks the current’s flow from the battery to the cables. You can typically scrape the corrosion away with a screwdriver or pliers but if it looks extreme, and a simple scraping doesn’t do the trick, please take it to a mechanic.
While cleaning off any corrosion on the battery terminals, you should also use a damp rag to wipe off the battery casing. Dirt and other gunk that sit on the casing of your battery can actually drain its power.
Temperature changes take away from the life of your battery therefore it’s wise to invest in a car battery insulation kit that will keep your battery warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Battery sleeves are usually plastic or acid resistant/thermal resistant material that insulates your battery but still allows it to vent.
It is also important to maintain proper water levels for optimum battery life. At every scheduled maintenance we suggest verifying the water level is correct. If necessary, you or your mechanic may use distilled water (only) to the battery cell. If you would like to take a peek yourself, you can shine a light at the front of the battery case which should show you the water in your battery, and a mark to show you the level at which it should be. If you have a black battery casing then the process is a bit more complicated and we suggest a professional check that for you.
Lastly, we recommend you avoid operating car accessories if the car is not running. Small things such as a phone charger, an interior light, or even running the radio will drain your vehicle’s battery more so if the vehicle is not “on”.
Hopefully, with the use of these tips, you will get the most of your vehicle’s battery life. Please give the professionals at Valley Motor Center a call if you have any questions about what you’ve read in this article or are concerned about any other areas of your vehicle. We are here for you 7 days a week!
818-909-5444