Car Battery Life Expectancy

Cars have various parts that need power that is supplied by a battery. Over a period of time, these batteries exhaust themselves and we need to get them charged. But after an elongated period of time, charging your battery would no longer work, and you may need to buy a new one for yourself.

The car battery fights a dual battle, on one hand to live longer and on the other to power all new contraptions that adorn your car. While new technology has helped the battery become more equipped to handle more power, the increase in power consumption of advanced vehicles brings the whole battle back to square one.

A lot of car batteries come with climate specifications. It is associated with the minimum temperature at which the battery will start without giving too much trouble. So if you're living in the colder parts of the world, get a battery which will work in the climatic conditions of the place. A lot of people buy the car in a warmer city and then relocate to another, much colder city and face car problems while trying to start. So this is an important tip to keep in mind.

Overusing the car battery can dramatically shorten the battery life. So don't test it. Keep the front lights off when you don't need them and don't honk too much. Keep the AC and the stereo switched off when your car isn't running. Keeping all the battery operated parts of the car 'on' when the car engine is not running will drain the battery a lot faster.

The manner and periods of recharging and discharging directly affect the battery life span. Every time a battery discharges, there is a loss of metal from the plates. If, however, there is any irregularity in this process, the life span decreases adversely.

For example, if the regulator used for charging is faulty, if the battery is overcharged, if the discharging period (period of use) is extended beyond the maximum period, you will increase the wear and tear of your battery.

If you keep on discharging the battery for too long, there is a reaction called 'Sulphation' that happens inside the battery, that permanently damages it. Other notable factors include improper handling of the battery, improper placement of the battery inside the car, allowing it to be rattled on rough roads.

Regular battery maintenance goes a long way in improving its life. The next time you send your automobile for servicing to the station, make sure that the guy checks your battery. The battery line and the terminals need to be cleaned and maintained to optimally utilize it, so that it won't give any problems in the future. Get the water in the battery topped up and make sure the battery is properly charged when you take delivery of your vehicle.