Your car battery has a limited lifespan but it's up to you to extend it even further. Proper care can really extend the life of your car's battery and even ensure that it never goes flat on you all of a sudden. If you want to avoid the task of changing your battery again and again keep these simple tips in mind.
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When the car's engine is running, every electronic device from the headlight to the infotainment system runs on an alternator. When the engine is off, all these things rely entirely on the battery for their power and this can lead to battery drain. Make it a habit to turn everything off before you exit your car, as leaving such things on for a long period could lead to a complete battery drain.
Testing your battery for its voltage from time to time is good advice and more people need to follow it. You can either do that by visiting a professional or buying a device yourself and keeping it in your car for occasional usage. Look for a standard voltmeter on any e-commerce platform and you should be able to find it. Once you have it, all you need to do is connect it to the battery terminals correctly and take a reading. A fully charged battery will give you a reading of around 12.4V to 12.8V. Anything below that and you will need to get the battery inspected by a professional.
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If too much dirt and grime gather over the terminals of your car's battery, it can lead to leakage that could eventually cause a short circuit and flatten the battery. This could also lead to corrosion of the terminals. It's hence imperative that you clean your car's battery occasionally using a sponge and a dry cloth. A proper schedule is to do this at least once every month.
In order to ensure good health for your car's battery, you must not let it lie unused for long periods of time. And this cannot be solved by taking it for short trips either, as that will not give the battery sufficient time to recharge. Your car will perform at its best when it's driven for considerable distances regularly. That is why it's advised that you keep taking it out for at least 30-minute drives every few days.
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The bay in which your battery sits has proper clamps and fastenings in place to hold it in its position firmly. However, if these clamps stay loose after a particular check-up, the internal components of the battery could get damaged when you hit bumps on the road. So make sure to tighten every screw in this bay and double-check the clamps each time a battery is fastened to the car.
Following these few tips should definitely increase the lifespan of your car's battery.
