2 Easy Ways To Make Your Car Battery Last Longer

3 December 2014 by Ricardo Hart

The last thing most people want to spend money on is new car parts. With the average cost of an automobile battery running at about $170 to $300, finding ways to make your battery last longer can be an easy way to save on your car maintenance costs.

Here are 2 simple things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle's battery in the future.

1. Keep Your Car Battery Clean

Have you ever thought to clean your car's battery? If your answer is no, then you are overlooking one of the easiest ways to keep your car battery running longer. Corroded terminals can lead to a dead battery, so be sure that you are using one of the following methods to clean your car battery on a regular basis:

Baking Soda- Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub the battery terminals clean once you have removed it from your vehicle. Once you have thoroughly scrubbed any corrosion away, rinse completely with cool water before reconnecting your car's battery.
Cola- If you find yourself in an emergency situation, cola can help eat away any corrosion that might be causing your battery to function improperly. Just pour the cola directly onto the battery, starting in the center and moving outward. Allow the cola to sit for about 2 minutes, then rinse completely with cool water.

2. Invest In An Insulation Blanket

Have you ever had your car battery die on a cold morning, even though it was working perfectly the previous afternoon? If so, then installing an insulation blanket could help to extend your battery life. Temperature changes can shorten the life of car batteries, so installing an insulation blanket to help reduce these temperature fluctuations could be beneficial.

Here are some benefits you could enjoy when you choose to equip your car battery with an insulation blanket:

Protection from cold- A car's battery is rated at room temperature. Its capacity, or ability to store a charge, is reduced when the temperature drops. If you live in an area where outdoor temperatures frequently reach the freezing point, your car's battery capacity could be reduced by 20%. Installing an insulation blanket helps to keep your battery's temperature higher, maintaining a higher capacity.
Protection from heat- Just as cold temperatures affect a car battery, excessive heat can be detrimental as well. For every 15 degrees above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, battery life is reduced by half. Choosing to install an insulation blanket will help protect your battery from heat fluctuations during warm seasons.

Extending the life of your car's battery is an excellent way to reduce your vehicle maintenance costs. Remembering to clean your battery frequently and installing an insulation blanket to protect against temperature fluctuations are great ways to keep your vehicle's battery juiced in the future.

Talk to a company like Battery Tree to learn more about how to care for your car's battery.

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About Me

It started with my Barbie dolls. I was the only three-year-old whose dollhouse closet was organized based the colors and styles of Barbie's dresses. When I started school, my classmates always knew they could turn to me to borrow a number-two pencil or to inquire about the day's assignment. Organization came naturally to me, and although I am occasionally a source of amusement among family and friends, I can better appreciate my organizational skills. In fact, I'm the first person loved ones call when their homes and offices spin out of control. It occurred to me that others might benefit from my strange—but useful!—skill set, and this blog is the product of that realization. Helping others get organized satisfies that compulsion deep in my soul that encourages me to reach out, share my gifts, and make connections. I hope to help you learn how to organize your business or personal life.