How to Make Your New Car Battery Last
Keep electronics and corrosion off to help keep your battery on
Quick Overview List
- Turn off all electronics before you turn off your engine
- Don’t run anything electric when your engine isn’t running
- Keep your battery terminal corrosion-free
- Park in a garage whenever possible
- Invest in a battery tender
- Drive Vehicle Regularly
- Avoid Short Trips
Turn off all electronics before you turn off your engine
Your battery’s primary function is to provide the power needed to start your engine. Once your engine is running, it acts as a generator that supplies power to your battery. If your air conditioning is left on when you turn off your car, the next time your turn your key in the ignition, you’re tasking your battery with starting the engine AND starting the AC, which puts an added strain on your battery. For the same reason, unplug external electronics like cell phones and iPods before you turn off your engine.
Don’t run anything electric when your engine isn’t running
Your battery is made to start your car, not to power your headlights and radio. If you’re sitting in your car waiting for someone and you need your headlights on or want to listen to your radio, just keep your engine running so that it generates the electricity to power your battery.
Keep your battery terminal corrosion-free
Even if you have no idea what’s going on under the hood, you can easily identify corrosion on the battery—it’s a chalky white buildup. Clean it off with baking soda mixed with water: dip an old toothbrush in the baking soda water and scrub the terminal clean, use a water spray bottle to rinse the terminal, then dry with a clean cloth. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when doing this—they call it battery acid for a reason.
Park in a garage whenever possible
Extreme heat and cold can both drain your battery’s power.
Invest in a battery tender
If you don’t use your car for extended periods, invest in a battery tender. An idle battery slowly loses its charge. To keep an idle battery at full capacity, it should be charged every six weeks.
Drive Your Vehicle Regularly
Your car’s battery recharges while the engine is running, so letting a vehicle sit too long can cause the battery to lose charge over time. Driving your car regularly — even just a few times each week — helps keep the battery properly charged and ready to perform. If you plan to store your vehicle for an extended period, consider using a battery maintainer or trickle charger to help preserve battery life.
Avoid Frequent Short Trips
Short drives may not give your vehicle’s charging system enough time to fully recharge the battery after starting the engine. Repeated short trips can gradually drain the battery, especially in extreme hot or cold weather when the battery is already under extra strain. Combining errands into longer drives when possible, can help maintain a healthier battery charge and extend battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you make a new car battery last longer?
Turn off electronics before shutting off the engine, avoid using accessories when the engine is off, keep terminals clean, park in a garage when possible, and use a battery tender if the vehicle sits for long periods.
Should you leave the AC, radio, or phone charger on when you turn off the car?
No. Turn off electronics and unplug devices before shutting off the engine so the battery is not strained during the next startup.
Is it bad to use headlights or the radio when the engine is off?
Yes. Running electronics while the engine is off can drain the battery because it is mainly designed to start the vehicle.
How do you clean battery terminal corrosion?
Clean corrosion with a baking soda and water mixture, scrub gently with an old toothbrush, rinse with water, and dry with a clean cloth while wearing rubber gloves.
Does parking in a garage help your battery?
Yes. Parking in a garage helps protect the battery from extreme heat and cold that can reduce battery life.
How do hot and cold weather affect car battery life?
Heat can wear a battery down faster, while cold weather can make it harder for the battery to provide enough power to start the car.
What should you do if you do not drive much?
Use a battery tender or maintainer if the car sits for extended periods to help keep the battery fully charged.
How often should you drive to keep the battery charged?
Driving a few times each week can help keep the battery charged and ready to perform.
Are short trips hard on a car battery?
They can be. Short drives may not give the charging system enough time to fully recharge the battery after startup.