Those of you who know me are probably getting tired of hearing about your car battery. The cooler weather here in Humble TX has alot of vehicles coming in on a wrecker, just because their battery is not strong enough. The average life of a battery in Texas is only 33 months. So if your battery is 3 years or older, please get it checked. The fact is that 70 percent of batteries don’t make it for 4 years.
There are some things that you can do to extend the life of your battery. First, keep it clean. A dirty battery runs hotter and that shortens its life. If your battery terminals are corroded, clean them. If the corrosion has gotten into the battery cables, replace them.
Also running your battery way down is bad for it: Things like running the headlights or watching a DVD player with the car turned off can deeply deplete your battery. The typical battery can only take about 10 of those deep cycle depletions before it gives up the ghost.
Because we often take short trips around Humble and Houston with lots of stops for errands, our batteries can end up not getting fully recharged just by driving around. That also shortens battery life. You can hook up a good quality automatic battery charger at home from time to time.
Now when it’s finally time to get a new battery, be sure to get the right replacement. Make sure the battery fits your vehicle and provides the correct cold cranking amperage. A quality battery will last longer, so buy a good one.
A dead battery can be very inconvenient. If you find yourself stuck and need help, some shops provide great services such as Express Battery Rescue.
Sometimes there is something else on your car or truck that has caused your battery to fail. It is a good idea to check the charging system including the cables, starter and alternator just to be safe.
Have a question? Send me an email lynn@thatcarlady.com.
Happy Driving,
Lynn Beckwith, That Car Lady
