Battery always plays an crucial part in your car's operation, from starting the car to charging your phone. A car battery can last between two and five years but in fact, you can definitely prolong the lifespan of your car battery by some handy tips Philkotse wants to share with you today. Check out now!
1. Keep your car battery insulated
Leaving your car under direct sunlight or frequently exposing to heat sources will negatively affect the performance of its battery. This seems rather inevitable especially in a hot and humid tropical climate country like the Philippines.
Battery insulation kit
However, you can easily solve this problem by using a heat-proof coating or battery insulation kit. The insulation kit protects your battery from large changes in temperature caused by the heat that radiates beneath the hood while still allowing proper ventilation.
2. Ensure regular battery maintenance
The life of your battery decreases over time as the energy in the battery leaks out. Therefore, you should ensure regular battery maintenance by checking the car battery’s water level indicator about once a month. Carefully open the battery cover with a screwdriver and check the electrolyte water level in each battery compartment.
Check the electrolyte water level
If the water level falls below the max line and a few inches under the lid, you should refill the battery with distilled water or electrolyte base as needed. If you choose electrolyte, proceed with caution because most electrolytes are strong and concentrated acid.
3. Monitor the battery voltage
Check the battery voltage level by performing, or having your mechanic perform a load test on your fully charged battery for 30 seconds to check the output voltage. If the multimeter shows a green light, that means the battery is in good condition.
Frequently monitor the battery voltage
4. Clean your battery with baking soda
Baking soda is a great cleaning solution to scrub the built-up corrosion around the battery terminals.
Use baking soda as a natural exfoliant
Follow these simple steps: Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of warm water, scrub gently using a toothbrush, then wipe with a damp towel dipped in the anti-corrosion mixture to clean up the residue, and eventually dry with a clean towel. There you have your clean new battery terminals. You can also watch this video tutorial for more visual instructions:
Cleaning battery terminal corrosion
Apart from baking soda, soft drinks can also help with the removal of corrosive substances on the car’s battery because of its CO2 content. Simply soak the poles of the battery into a soda can, wait a few moments then wipe through with a wet towel and dry again with a clean towel.
5. Use oil or fat to avoid corrosion
Higher humidity levels can accelerate the rusting process no matter how well you have cleaned the corrosive buildup. Corrosion will increase the electrical resistance of the electrodes, leading to poor battery performance. However, you can still prevent this process by applying a little oil or fat to lubricate the battery electrodes.
6. Make use of Aspirin for a quick fix
Aspirin can be an unexpected savior in the situation when your car suddenly runs out of electricity and no other help is available. Simply put two pills of aspirin into the battery and acetylsalicylic acid in Aspirin will react with the battery’s sulfuric acid to produce a small amount of power to jump-start the engine, hopefully enough to get you to the nearest service station.
Put two pills of Aspirin into your dead battery
7. Use Epsom salt to increase battery life
Epsom salt can help to extend the life of your car’s battery. This method is also very simple - you just have to dissolve 28 grams of Epsom salt into some warm water and fill the battery compartment. The result is longer life expectancy and better performance for your car battery.
>>> Click here for more useful tips and advice on car maintenance.
