23/06/2022 19:34 8 TIPS TO EXTEND A CAR BATTERY’S LIFE – Stinger Electronics

A C A R B AT T E RY ’ S L I F E S PA N C O M E S
DOWN TO REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Every car battery has a lifespan. The typical car battery will last about 2 to 5 years;
however, some people find themselves changing their car batteries much sooner than
that. While car batteries do have a fixed calendar life, there are ways for you to
prevent them from dying earlier than they should. Here are 8 tips on how to extend the
life of your car battery:

LIMIT SHORT RIDES

Short car trips prohibit your car battery from fully charging. Driving your vehicle more
frequently and for longer periods will help retain your car battery power. It takes and
average of 20 minutes of driving to recover the energy from starting a vehicle.

E N S U R E Y O U R B AT T E R Y I S F I R M LY
FA S T E N E D
Make sure the car battery is always fastened securely. This helps prevent it from
vibrating which can cause short circuits and internal damage. Remind yourself to
check it regularly. Or upgrade to an AGM style battery like Stinger Power Series,
which is vibration resistant.

AV O I D U S I N G T O O M A N Y A C C E S S O R I E S
WHILE IDLING
The battery is designed to supply power to start the vehicle. Turning on electronics
such as your radio, lights, and other electronics while idling adds additional pressure
to the battery especially if you have added additional electronics and they exceed the
output of the alternator at idle which is typically only 30% of its output capability.

M O N I T O R Y O U R C A R B AT T E RY ’ S H E A LT H
W I T H A V O LT M E T E R
Monitor system voltage with the Stinger digital battery terminal volt meter or plug n
play 12v socket adapter to check the health of your battery. A healthy battery should
have a voltage of around 12.7 volts or above. Recharge your battery if the numbers
drop below the ideal voltage.

D O N ’ T L E AV E Y O U R V E H I C L E U N U S E D F O R
LONG PERIODS
Standard Wet Cell Lead-acid batteries will naturally lose charge over time. This is
referred to as self-discharge. If your car sits unused in the driveway or garage for
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23/06/2022 19:34 8 TIPS TO EXTEND A CAR BATTERY’S LIFE – Stinger Electronics

more than a week, connect a smart charger that will help decrease the risk of self-
discharge. Make sure it is set to the correct battery type, Wet, Gel, AGM. Do not use
and old style trickle charger. If you’re planning on going away for a long time, a smart
charger or maintainer is a must, at the very least; disconnect make sure the battery is
charged then disconnect the negative terminal to reduce the changes of parasitic
drain.

P R O T E C T Y O U R C A R B AT T E RY F R O M
E X T R E M E T E M P E R AT U R E C H A N G E S
Extreme changes in temperature due to the weather can affect the health of your car
battery. Protect your battery with insulation kits that will keep it warm during the cold
winter months. Stinger’s AGM batteries are not only less susceptible to temperature
variables because of the extreme internal density, but they also include a metal case
to insulate them from temperature variables.

C H E C K Y O U R C A R B AT T E RY WAT E R
LEVELS
If you have a new wet cell car battery, check the water level once or twice every three
months. If your battery is older than 1.5 years, check it once a week. Excessive heat
can cause low water (electrolyte) levels. Inspect your car battery water levels
particularly during hot summer months to ensure they are at the right levels. When
refilling the battery, only use distilled water. Tap water contains ions that can
significantly reduce your vehicle’s battery lifespan. Avoid this all together with a
completed sealed and maintenance free AGM battery from Stinger.

ROUTINE CHECKUPS
Part of the maintenance of a car is making sure you have clean connectors and
terminals. Over time, corrosion will damage the connection between the car and
battery. By getting regular check ups, you can prevent build up. Applying alkaline or
acidic agents can help dissolve corrosion.  Stinger provides ring terminals made with
corrosion-resistant shock-krome plating to help your car batteries last longer. Stinger’s
AGM batteries are also resistant from corrosion because they are completely sealed.
The sealed constructions keeps the corrosive elements from evaporating and
adhering to the battery terminals; unlike that of wet and gel cell batteries.

If your electrical system is underpowered, it could be time to upgrade to a high

performance battery for audiophiles.

For more even more accessories to help you extend the life of your car battery, check
out Stinger’s line of terminals and connectors.

WRITTEN BY DELANEY SPICER

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THE COMPONENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR A DIY

AUTO SOUND SYSTEM

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