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Follow These Eight Pointers to Protect the Car’s Battery

The winter months pose a massive danger to the vehicle's battery. Thus, Dwight Smith in Ann Arbor, MI, shed light on eight pointers to protect the car's battery from the cold. Read on!

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First Things First

The car's battery is expected to last up to five years. Still, paying attention to these eight tips can help you win some more time and cut costs on unforeseen expenses.

Start by Being More Mindful of Your Parking Choices

It's not surprising that cars run out of battery in cold surroundings. Yet, few people know about the heat's impact on the battery, which can also take a toll on their life span. Thus, being wary of your parking spots it's crucial to protect the car's battery.

So, next time you're parking your car, ensure you're not leaving it under the sun or in the cold for more than four hours.

Use the Clutch to Your Advantage

Pressing on the clutch pedal can start the car in neutral without stressing the battery. Besides, if you don't engage the clutch, you might need to shift the manual transmission.

Isolate Electrical Conducts and Components

At some point, you might feel tempted to install daytime running lights or a new audio system in your car. So, if you're drawn to adding electrical upgrades, you must isolate all cables and outlets. Floppy and messy isolations can ensure electrical firings and harm the battery's lifespan.

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Be Real about Your Battery's Power

Your car's battery might not support the modifications you have in mind. Please be conscious of the energy consumption in any device you plan on installing. If you decide to go forward with these plans, you'll need to install a battery with more energy capacity.

The choice is yours. Just ensure a professional mechanic is supervising the alterations you have in mind.

Prevent Electrical Overloads

The alternator provides electricity to the car when the motor is running. Yet, if many electrical systems are plugged in, the alternator can fail at some point. If that happens, the battery will step in to cover the demands the alternator couldn't meet, taking yet another swing at the battery's life. This is a rare scenario in modern cars, but it's worth noting.

Short Trips Can Be Taxing for the Battery

The car's start is the most demanding process for the battery. Thus, going on short trips can be detrimental to the alternator, which can take a few minutes to reload. Driving for brief periods at low revolutions keeps the alternator from reloading and fulfilling the battery's needs. Thus, try starting it at least monthly and driving for 19 miles on the highway at the very least.

Beware of the Battery's Discharges

If you plan to stop the car temporarily, the sensible thing to protect the car's battery is disconnecting it. So, proceed to disconnect the negative terminal and brush any metallic parts. Still, it would be best to remember that batteries discharge even when unplugged. Therefore, you can't expect more than two years of service life.

Also, don't turn the lights on or use the stereo while the motor is off. You're wreaking havoc on the battery! Please bear in mind this information if the battery is on its last legs of user life or if it's cold outside.

Some Batteries Need Upkeep

If your battery needs maintenance, you'll see it displayed on the battery. For instance, you might need to keep an eye on the water flow in these devices to keep the water from vaporizing. If that's the case, look for any warnings pointing this tip out.

Generally, you'll need to do this yearly. First, remove the plugs between the terminals. Then, fill the container to the highest level if the water flow is low. Please, don't forget to use distilled water and distilled water only. You might ask yourself, "but why can't I use tap water?" the truth is that tap water has mineral salts that would reduce the battery's life.