How to Keep Your Car Battery Healthy

6 tips

• Clean the terminals twice a year. White or green crust on the terminals blocks current; scrub it off with a wire brush and a mix of baking soda and water.
• Make sure the battery is held down tight. A loose battery bounces around, and vibration is one of the biggest killers of battery life.
• Take a longer drive once a week. Short trips of a few minutes do not give the alternator time to recharge what starting the car used.
• Turn off the lights, radio, and heated seats before you turn off the engine. Leaving accessories on drains the battery while the car sits.
• In hot climates, park in the shade when you can. Heat speeds up the chemical wear inside a battery more than cold does.
• Get the battery tested every fall, especially if it is over 3 years old. A free test at a parts store tells you if it will survive the winter.

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