• Home
  • Blog
  • Services | Products
  • EZ Auto Registration
  • Specials
  • Gallery
    • 3D Video Tour of the Dyno Shop
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Contact | Directions
Auto Repair in Santee, CA | The Dyno Shop

(619) 562-3933

Extend the life of your car battery

11/19/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
When it comes to vehicles nothing is worse than being stranded on the side of the road.  Many factors can contribute to this unfortunate situation, one of which is the battery.  Today's modern vehicle are not known to give away many warnings that a battery is on the fritz.  

The battery in your vehicle, just like your cell phone or laptop, are lead-acid and have a limited life span, eventually losing their ability to hold significant charge to start your car.  The average life expectancy of a vehicle lead-acid battery is around 42 months.  This time frame can be influenced by a number of different variables; hot or cold climates, journey lengths, and the performance of your vehicles electrical system.  

There are a few things that you can do to help prolong your batteries life:
  1. Keep the battery tightly fastened.  Excessive vibration can damage the battery's internal components, creating short circuits and reducing battery life.  We suggest making sure that you have the correct battery clamp and that it secures the battery properly.  Tighten the bolts until you feel resistance, then go about another 1/2 turn as to avoid over tightening.
  2. Keep the battery clean.  Ensure that the top of the battery is free of dirt and grim.  A dirty battery can discharge across the grim, thus creating a mild short circuit leading to a flat battery.  Keep an eye on the battery terminals as well.  Over time the terminals start to calcify and corrode.  The terminals are the life source for the battery and sending power to the rest of the electrical system.  Using a mixture of baking soda and water, scrub the terminals with an old toothbrush then spray them with clean water to rinse the solution off and follow up with a clean clothe to dry.  
  3. Minimize the power used while the vehicle is off.  Batteries are happiest when kept as close to 100% charge as possible.  Be mindful to turn headlights and interior lights off while the engine is not on.  Before leaving the vehicle, check your switches to ensure everything is turned off.  
  4. Minimize heat exposure.  It is said that cold weather is what kills a battery.  It is true that it is harder on the battery to start your vehicle in cold weather, but it's the heat causes the most damage.  Extreme heat increases the rate of water evaporation from the battery cells.  The cold will then reveal the shortcomings of a weaker battery.  Basically try anything you can think of to minimize the heat exposure.  This could mean parking in the shade or keeping the vehicle garaged.  You could also look into insulating the battery to protect it from the heat generated in the engine bay.
  5. Don't leave the vehicle unused for long periods of time.  It is vital the lead-acid batteries are kept fully charged at all times to prevent damage.  Your alternator is what recharges the battery, so if the vehicle doesn't get started for a long period of time this promotes what we call self-discharge.  All batteries self-discharge throughout their life span, keeping them fully charged with your vehicles built-in system is a great way to battle the fast decline.

We are always here for you!  Give us a call anytime, we are happy to help 619-562-3933

1 Comment
car repair link
12/18/2022 08:33:57 am

There are few things worse than being stranded on the side of the road in a vehicle. It's a feeling of helplessness and frustration, especially if you're in a hurry to get somewhere. The first thing you need to do is stay calm. If you're panicking, it'll only make the situation worse. Once you've regained your composure, assess the situation and see if there are any immediate dangers, such as oncoming traffic. If it's safe, try to flag down a passing car or truck and see if they can help. If not, the next step is to call for help, whether that's a tow truck or the police. In the meantime, stay with your vehicle and make yourself as visible as possible. It's also a good idea to have some sort of emergency kit in your car, just in case.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Dyno Days
    Maintenance
    Our Crew
    Weekly Specials

    Archives

    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    January 2011
    April 2009

    RSS Feed

Picture
The Dyno Shop
10042 Prospect Ave, Santee, CA 92071
(619) 562-3933


Business hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00pm*


Closed on Holidays

EZ Auto Registration hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm*

​Closed on Holidays


*Closed from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm daily - but we will be answering the phone  :)
​
Thank you for your continued patronage!
Sign Up for our Email Newsletter
Powered by Benchmark Email
 The Dyno Shop Inc BBB Business Review


© 2017 The Dyno Shop
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Services | Products
  • EZ Auto Registration
  • Specials
  • Gallery
    • 3D Video Tour of the Dyno Shop
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Contact | Directions