info@raynerdiesel.co.uk
info@raynerdiesel.co.uk
Your car battery is the powerhouse of your vehicle. Without it you wouldn’t be able to start your vehicle. We take it for granted but without the chemical reaction that literally creates the electrical energy required to start the motor and spark the spark plugs you’ll be going nowhere. So we’ve put together some tips on How To Prolong the life of your Car Battery.
The chemical reaction and conversion to electrical energy effectively drains the battery each time you turn the ignition key. The battery is then recharged by the engine (with the help of the alternator) as you drive along. And, like all batteries, your car battery will not last forever. An average lifespan is around 3 to 6 years (depending on make, manufacturer and rating). So even with optimal care you’ll need to replace it at some point.
Faulty batteries are one of the commonest reasons for vehicle breakdowns. So if you want to avoid the expense and inconvenience of a breakdown it’s important to know how best to look after your car battery. We’ve already established that the battery has a finite lifespan. But there are other factors that cause premature degradation.
We’ve put together a few of the causes of battery wear and some ways on How To Prolong the life of your Car Battery.
There are 4 main reasons your battery may become faulty:
– How you drive
– Battery condition
– The outside environment
– The load you put on your car battery with other electrical devices
We’ve established that the battery pretty much discharges itself in one go when you start your vehicle. As you drive it recharges with the help of the alternator. But if you only make short journeys you may not be recharging the battery enough. Subsequently, lots of short journeys will prematurely wear down your battery as it never gets a full recharge. It’s advisable to drive for at least 20 minutes to half an hour to fully recharge your battery after lots of short trips.
Also, leaving the car unused for long periods will cause the battery to drain. You’ll then either need to get a recovery firm out or get a jumpstart. You can avoid this hassle by taking the vehicle on at least a 20 minute drive once a week or so.
Corroded or dirty terminal connections can hamper the electrical conductivity of your battery and cause an unnecessary load on the system.
So a regular check and removal of any debris will help prevent this.
It’s also important to ensure the battery is properly secured within its engine mounting. Any sort of vibration whilst travelling can damage the internal circuitry of the battery and over time cause it to fail.
The weather is also a big factor on how your car battery operates. Extremes of hot and cold weather are not good for your battery. Hot weather will speed up the process of evaporation of the internal solution (sulphuric acid). This means the chemical reaction is less efficient and the battery will not operate optimally. If you can, it’s best to park in the shade (or a cool spot).
Corroded or dirty terminal connections can hamper the electrical conductivity of your battery and cause an unnecessary load on the system.
So a regular check and removal of any debris will help prevent this.
It’s also important to ensure the battery is properly secured within its engine mounting. Any sort of vibration whilst travelling can damage the internal circuitry of the battery and over time cause it to fail.
The weather is also a big factor on how your car battery operates. Extremes of hot and cold weather are not good for your battery. Hot weather will speed up the process of evaporation of the internal solution (sulphuric acid). This means the chemical reaction is less efficient and the battery will not operate optimally. If you can, it’s best to park in the shade (or a cool spot).
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Likewise, cold temperatures affect this chemical process. This has the result of slowing down how the battery operates and affects the batteries ability to hold on to the charge the reaction produces. In both instances, a longer journey of 20 to 30 minutes or more will help to fully charge the battery. If you constantly experience problems you cold charge the battery regularly with a battery charger or it may be time for a replacement.
Nowadays it not just heating and lighting that help to drain the battery. Add into the mix your Sat Nav, stereo, charging points and USB ports and your stretching your batteries ability to provide enough power. If at all possible, avoid using these electrical devices when the car is turned off or sat idling. You’re effectively draining the battery and reducing its lifespan.
We hope these tips on How To Prolong the life of your Car Battery have helped. As always, if you’re experiencing battery issues that you need a professional to look at, give the garage a call to book your vehicle in.
