Your car’s battery is likely going to be good for around four or five years, and that’s if you take really good care of it. Most drivers don’t realize that, though, and inadvertently do things that shorten the life of their battery. Here’s some information from Skiles Automotive Services that can help.
Start Your Car at the Very Least
Whether this is a car you don’t drive often or you simply aren’t driving as much as you used to, that takes a toll on your car’s battery. Batteries slowly discharge over time, and that’s not a great thing for them if there’s nothing kicking back a charge. When you start up your car and drive it for at least a few minutes, the alternator sends charge back into the battery. That’s why it’s important that your car doesn’t sit for too long.
Get the Battery Tested
One of the ways that you can help to keep up with how your car’s battery is doing is to get it tested periodically. Testing the alternator at the same time is a good idea, too. This helps you to see what exactly is going on with the battery. It may need a charge, for instance, and that can keep you from getting stranded when you least expect it.
Make Sure You’re Up to Date on Services
Other services are also helpful when it comes to keeping your car’s battery in good condition. Everything in your car works with everything else. So by sticking to the recommended services that your manufacturer suggests, you end up keeping tabs on all of the different systems in the car, including the battery and the electrical system.
Turn Things Off When You Park the Car
When you park the car, whether that’s overnight or for longer, turn everything off. Even if your car doesn’t pull power from things like the accessory jack when it’s off, you’re doing the battery a favor the next time you start the car. The next time you go to start up the car, the only thing pulling power from the battery will be the engine, and not all the different accessories you left on.
Skiles Automotive Services in Bremen, IN can help you with all of your battery and electrical system needs. Noticing trouble with your car’s battery? Don’t wait. Give us a call right away and we’ll test your car’s battery and see how big the problem is.
