Automotive batteries are an essential part of motor vehicles. Batteries offer the zap your vehicle needs to keep moving, right from getting your car started to charging your devices on the go. That is why it is important to know what you can do to extend the lifespan of a battery.

Automotive batteries last between 3 to 5 years on average. One of the most important factors that affect the life of a battery is the weather. A running engine under the cover already produces a high level of heat. If you drive your car on a scorching hot day without taking proper summer precautions, the car battery will drain severely, leading to an increased chance of a dead battery.

Taking proper care of your car battery regardless of the temperature you drive in can help keep it running. Check out a few guidelines below on extending the life of your car battery:

Avoid Driving Small Distances
If you drive frequent short distances, it will not be possible for the battery to regain the amount of power lost. Repeating the process routinely leads the battery voltage to reduce steadily. However, if you don’t use your car very often, consider investing in a battery charger to maintain the correct voltage.

Tightly Fastened The Battery
If a car battery is not fastened properly, it could vibrate, potentially resulting in internal damage and short circuits, which can reduce the battery life. Therefore, if you frequently drive on bumpy roads, make sure to check the battery terminal regularly whether it is tightly fastened and properly positioned on the mounting bracket or not.

Turn Off The Lights When Engine Is Off
Keeping the car headlights ON can put a heavy load on the battery. Hence, before leaving the vehicle, always ensure to turn off all the accessories to save the battery power.

Test The Battery Voltage Often
In order to maximize the life of a battery, it is important to know its condition. The output voltage level of a battery should be tested with a car battery tester to keep track of how well it is being maintained.

Minimise Heat Exposure
Excessive heat is hard on batteries as it increases the rate of water evaporation from the cells. The cold then reveals the weakness of the weaker battery, as lower temperatures sap the remaining cranking power as it tries to start cold engines with thick oil. Hence, to reduce the temperature subjected to the battery, proper parking of your vehicle in the shade should be maintained.