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Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Car Battery

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The car battery isn't just there to power the starter motor and the ignition system. It plays a part in the running of anything powered by electricity in the car, as it offers additional current when the alternator can't keep up with demand. In turn, the alternator recharges the battery when the engine is running under normal circumstances, which is why you can get many years of life out of a standard lead-acid storage battery. Make sure to extend your car battery's life by getting it checked and maintained regularly.

What Can Go Wrong?

If you have your vehicle's battery and the starter system checked every six months, your battery will last longer. The technician will check the battery's condition, the connections, the alternator output and the alternator drive belt. A modern vehicle with fuel injection and sensors that are regulated by an on-board computer need a regular supply of electricity to function properly. You'll notice the difference if you don't get these things checked and the battery develops a fault.

How Is a Battery Charged?

If you try to start your vehicle and find that the battery is dead, you can jump start the car. As long as you've driven a few miles, your battery should be sufficiently charged. The general rule of thumb is that a 30-minute drive will give your battery enough charge but the truth is that the amount of time the battery needs depends on how much energy is retained. If your battery is reading under 12 volts, you should consider recharging it with a car battery charger, which is available in most car parts stores.

Battery Size

As with any battery you're replacing, keep it simple and buy a replacement of the same size as the one that's in the vehicle. Some cars can accept different battery sizes but you're better off sticking to the manufacturer's recommendation. Batteries are grouped by their size, where the terminals are placed, the mounting type and the type of terminals they have. Thankfully, a code is assigned to each battery under the regulations established by the Battery Council International so you won't have to be an expert to get the right battery. Just write down the code and ask for a replacement at the parts store.

How to Change a Battery

Changing a car battery is a simple job if you have the tools you need and the confidence to work on your car. Before you start, you'll need to get protective eye-wear and gloves as battery acid is corrosive and can leak. You'll also need to know the PIN codes for your car's electrical system like the satellite navigation and the music system as these can reset when you remove the battery. When you're ready, park on a flat, level surface and engage the handbrake then take care to identify the positive and negative connections. Remove the negative terminal first and then loosen the positive. Now take off the clamps or screws securing the battery in place. Then remove the battery making sure to keep it upright at all times. Now you can set the new battery in place, making sure that the negative and positive are in the right place. Tighten the clamps or screws to secure the battery and then connect the positive followed by the negative to complete.

Replacing the Car Key Battery

Replacing the car key battery is far simpler than replacing the car's battery. It can be done in the home and normally only needs a screwdriver to complete. Car key batteries are typically small, round, flat batteries like those used in watches. They normally have a long life because the battery power is only drained when you press to lock and unlock your car. You'll often find instructional videos online that take you through each step in the process.

How Long Should a Battery Last?

As we've demonstrated, a car battery doesn't have a set lifespan because the way its treated and maintained has a bearing on its life but as a general rule, a battery will be at its optimum for the first four years of its life. After that, it will degrade gradually. Some car batteries have been known to last ten years, although driving around with an old battery on-board can shorten the life of the alternator. As a battery is cheap to replace, you're better off getting a new one when you see signs that it's flagging.