Many vehicle owners don't give enough thought or care to their car's battery, but the automotive battery is responsible for providing the electricity that the starter uses to turn the engine over and get it running. The average battery lifespan is three to five years, depending on how well you care for it. A few preventive maintenance steps can mean the difference between a car that runs and one that leaves you stranded. Here's what you should know about keeping your automotive battery in good condition.

Do:

Keep it fully charged.

One quick way to shorten a battery's lifespan is to let the cell discharge and sit without fully recharging it. For instance, it takes 10–15 minutes of driving—not just idling—to restore the cell to a full charge after starting the vehicle. Therefore, a series of brief trips that don't give the car enough time to recharge itself can damage the battery, as can running the car's electrical accessories without running the engine. 

Clean the terminals regularly.

Once every 60–90 days, loosen the connectors and use a stiff wire brush to clean corrosion from the battery terminals and cable connectors. This ensures a solid connection to the starter and from the alternator. After cleaning, replace the connectors and tighten them until they are snug.

Don't:

Leave the battery connected when you store the car.

If you store your car during winter or otherwise don't drive it for lengthy periods, detach the battery cables first. Otherwise, it could discharge over time and shorten its lifespan. If the garage or storage unit experiences extensive cold temperatures, removing the battery and storing it in a warmer location preserves its condition.

Leave the car outside in the winter.

Whenever possible, garage your vehicle when temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing. Cold weather affects the chemical processes that occur within the battery and produce an electrical current. It can slow or stop these processes completely, so it is important to keep your car sheltered, especially overnight, during winter months.

Stop by Victory Battery Co, the premier battery store in Covington, KY, when you need a new auto battery. They are family-owned and -operated and have served Kenton County since 1957. They carry replacement batteries for cars, wheelchairs, scooters, and handheld devices. They also specialize in battery testing and installation. Learn more about them on the website, or call (859) 581-0343 to ask about automotive battery pricing and availability.