Having a dead car battery can significantly delay your day and cause unexpected headaches. That’s why Ace Hi Oil in Southlake, TX, put together this post to help you take better care of your battery and know what to do if it dies. 

Why Do Car Batteries Die?

There are many reasons that could cause your car’s battery to die out. Some are preventable, and others might be a bit harder to catch. Some common causes are leaving your car’s interior lights or headlights on, leaving it parked for an extended period without turning it on, or corrosion around the battery’s terminals. Most of these causes are preventable so keep reading to learn how to better care for your car’s battery.

How Long Should a Car Battery Last?

Depending on who you ask, this question might differ. Some cars can use the same battery for five or six years, while others only last for two years. But generally, a car’s battery will last anywhere from three to four years. The best way to make your car battery last longer is by taking your car in for maintenance periodically, where they can check your battery for corrosion or any malfunction that could cause it to die out prematurely.

Taking care of your car’s battery is only one part of your regular maintenance routine. The experts at Ace Hi Oil can advise you on the additional maintenance steps you should take. Also, visit their online store for more information on their excellent products like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil.

What Things Shorten a Battery’s Lifespan?

Two main things can cause your car’s battery to die off before its time. One of them is your driving habits, and the other is the weather in the place you live.

Climate Factors

Living in a place with hot temperatures year-round will cause your battery to run out faster. Batteries have liquids inside them to keep them working, and heat can cause those liquids to evaporate quickly and make them lose their charge. Sadly there isn’t much you can do in this case, but try and park in places with shade and good ventilation to avoid your battery overheating.

Driving Habits

Your driving habits will also affect your car’s battery life. If you tend to have shorter commutes that don’t allow your battery to recharge. A short trip is anything below 15 minutes, so if your daily commute is longer, you’re all good. If you have short commutes, make sure to take the long way around a few times a week to ensure your battery has enough time to recharge.

User Error

User error is also a common reason why batteries die out prematurely. When we say user error, we mean leaving your car’s lights on, using the stereo or any electrical component on your vehicle when it’s parked, and the battery doesn’t have a chance to recharge. To avoid this, make sure always to leave your lights off when you get to your destination and try not using your stereo if your car isn’t moving.

Signs of a Weak Battery

There are some signs you can keep an eye out for to ensure that your battery doesn’t die out and catch you by surprise. Some signs of a weak battery are:

• That your interior lights aren’t as bright as they should be
• That the battery has corrosion, is bulging, or is leaking.
• That your car takes longer to start.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to visit your trusted mechanic for them to check out your battery and let you know if it needs replacing.

Dealing with a dead car battery can not only be annoying but can also delay your day unexpectedly, but having a consistent maintenance routine can avoid many car troubles. Call the experts at Ace Hi Oil at (817) 431-6664 for more information on what products to use to keep your vehicle in good shape for longer.

What to Do if You Have a Dead Car Battery?

The first thing to do if your car battery is to try and jumpstart it. For this, you’ll need access to jumper cables and another car or a portable jump starter to get it going. The steps to jumpstarting your vehicle are as follows:

1. If you’re using another car, park close to it without touching it and turn both vehicles off.
2. Get your jumper cables and pop the hood of both cars. Locate the batteries.
3. Attach the jumper cables. Hook the red clamp (+) to the dead battery’s positive terminal. Then do the same with the working battery. Next, clamp the black (-) to the working battery’s negative terminal. Lastly, attach the remaining black clamp to a metal surface (unpainted) of the dead battery’s car.
4. Start the working car and then start the dead one.
5. Remove the cables in the reverse order that you followed to attach them.
6. Let the engine run for a few minutes or take a 15-minute drive to help the battery charge.

We hope this post is helpful in caring for your car’s battery. If you need more advice on what products to use on your engine, don’t hesitate to call Ace Hi Oil at (817) 431-6664 or visit their online store to place an order today.