Battery care 101: how to extend the life of your battery and avoid costly replacements

After purchasing the right battery, it is important to keep it in optimal condition. That way, it will last longer and you will avoid expensive replacements at an early stage. Battery life depends on several factors, such as: the duration of storage, extreme temperatures, battery state of charge, etc. 

However, a battery does not last forever and the average lifespan is 5 – 6 years. However, the lifespan is highly dependent on the use. For example, deep discharge can greatly shorten its lifespan. Below we would like to explain how you can maintain your battery as well as possible by taking preventive actions and by carrying out checks after installation.

Preventive actions

The first step in proper maintenance is optimal storage of the batteries. It is important that you store the batteries in a dry, well-ventilated area. The comfort zone for batteries is between -20°C and +40°C. Battery testing is done within this range. It goes without saying that the batteries remain in optimal condition within this range. All temperatures outside of that definitely have an impact on the performance and longevity of the batteries.

The second important point is to insert the battery correctly. Hence, if you have the slightest doubt, let yourself be advised by professionals. This will prevent damage to the battery due to misuse.

Thirdly, it is strongly recommended to use the battery only for the correct application. Cars from the last decades are often equipped with a start-stop system. In such cars, the technology of a conventional battery is not suitable and will cause problems in the short term. Rule of thumb: always install a battery with the same technology as originally provided for the first installation.

Checks after inserting the battery

A first, simple way to maintain your battery in good condition is to keep the surface clean and dry. In this way, you can avoid leakage current, which could result in self-discharge of the battery.

Secondly, it is important to check the battery fill level every 6 months or so. You can easily do this by topping up with demineralized water until the minimum level is reached. (read: never refill with battery acid!)

If the battery is installed correctly and subjected to normal charges, your battery will consume little or no water. If you do notice abnormal water consumption, it is best to have the alternator checked first, because most likely there is something wrong with the charge of the battery.

As we mentioned earlier, the state of charge, among other things, contributes to the life of the battery. If the battery continues to function at a lower state of charge than recommended, the durability of the battery may be impaired. We recommend checking the state of charge of your battery at least every 2-3 months if:

• you mainly travel short distances with your vehicle;
• your vehicle is stationary for extended periods;
• your vehicle is equipped with a high level of comfort;
• your vehicle is equipped with a start-stop system;
• it is a seasonal vehicle (convertible, vintage car, motorcycle, tractor, construction machine,...).

If one of the above situations is the case, the energy balance of your battery will tend to be negative.

To ensure that your vehicle always starts, your battery must be at least 75% charged. You can measure this with a tension meter or test it with an acid weigher. If you use a voltage meter to check the state of charge, you can use the following parameters to know how much charge percentage your battery contains:

• 12.51 V – 12.57 V = 75% charged
• 12.69 V – 12.75 V = 100% charged

If you use an acid weigher, you can use the following criterion (acid density):

• 1.25 kg/l = 75% loaded / 1.28 kg/l = 100% loaded

A battery is only an 'energy storage', where it is always necessary to recharge the battery to 100% when there has been energy consumption. It is charged by the vehicle's alternator or by an external charger. Under no circumstances is it advisable to let your battery be completely discharged, this is detrimental to the battery quality.

There is often a misplacement about the energy balance in current-generation vehicles. In these cars, too, the energy balance tends to turn negative at a certain point. This is mainly due to the extensive comfort and electronic equipment, especially when the bulk of the energy is needed to power the electrical system and the remaining energy is no longer sufficient to charge the battery optimally. In the case of seasonal vehicles, it is even recommended to use a maintenance charger to maintain the state of charge.

Each battery is constantly subjected to the descending chemical process of self-discharge. If the battery is not charged repeatedly, it will lead to deep self-discharge of the battery. If the battery is still connected to the vehicle, the state of charge will decrease even faster due to the power consumption. In this case, we recommend disconnecting the battery.

As mentioned earlier, in addition to the state of charge, extreme temperatures play a role in the life of your battery. What you should know about this is that the ideal temperature to store batteries is between 10-15 degrees. Higher temperatures accelerate self-discharge and water loss. Would you like to know more about the ideal temperature of your battery? You can read all about it in this article.

Maintaining your battery will significantly increase its lifespan. Unfortunately, a battery can't live forever. At some point, the capacity will be exhausted. Then it is important that the battery is replaced as soon as possible.

Autobat's experts are the place to go if you want more information about your battery's lifespan and charging circuit to avoid risks in the near future. Are you ready for a new battery? Then you can also contact us for tailor-made advice, both private and professional. Drop by our website in Herk-de-Stad or simply request a quote online now.