5 Things That Shorten the Life of Your Battery

We’ve all been there. That moment where you get in the car, turn the key, and instead of the roaring engine, you hear a clicking noise, or maybe even nothing at all.
If you’ve been driving for any length of time, you probably know that the battery is one of the most important pieces in your car’s system. While a vehicle’s battery lifespan could last up to 3 to 5 years, there are still things drivers might do daily that shorten the life of their battery.

To ensure your battery has a long, full life of getting you where you need to go, here’s a list of 5 ways to maintain the life of your battery.

1. Limit Exposure to Extreme Temperatures

Sitting in extreme heat or cold conditions could drain the life of your battery. If you’re in either climate, try to park your vehicle in a garage, carport, or protective shaded area to fight sun rays or freezing snow.

2. Secure Your Battery

The abrupt motions of daily driving like quick starts, driving around corners, and panic stops could loosen your car battery. If your battery loosens too much within your engine, this could lead to excessive vibration, which will put a strain on your battery, the surrounding components, and its circuits. If you’re concerned about a rattling noise, or just want a routine check on the security of your battery, stop by for a free battery check at Commercial Tire so we can tighten any necessary hardware. 

3. Don’t Leave It Unused for Too Long

If your vehicle sits in your driveway or garage for months on end, the battery will slowly lose its charge. Whether you’re going on an extended vacation or holding on to a car for the future, make sure someone can periodically start it or take it for a drive.

4. Limit Using Power with the Engine is Turned Off

It has plagued many drivers. You go to start the car in the morning only to find that the light is still on from the night before. You try to start the car but it doesn’t turn over.

Leaving the lights on, forgetting the keys in the ignition, or continuously using the radio and clock when the engine isn’t on are just a few ways you might accidentally drain the life out of your battery.

5. Don’t Make the Jump A Habit

While the need for a jump start could happen to anyone, anywhere (which is why you should always keep jumper cables in your vehicle), a key takeaway from that experience should be to get your battery checked right after you’re up and running again.

Allowing your vehicle battery to go completely dead takes a big bite out of its lifespan, even after you have it recharged. So, make a pit stop at your local Commercial Tire for a full battery check to see if your battery just needs an adjustment, or if you need a new one.

At Commercial Tire, our team of experts will secure, recharge, or recommend new batteries that will be perfect for you and your vehicle’s make and model.