Special offer

Prolonging the Life of Your Car Battery...

By
Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

Prolonging the Life of Your Car Battery...

     As busy real estate professionals, the last thing we need is a dead car battery. Car batteries are the last thing one ever thinks about until you turn the key and nothing happens. As we all know, car batteries seem to go dead at the least opportune time. This is not only annoying, but can put a strain on the finances as well. As we approach the spring equinox, aging batters will be more prone to failure.

     These few tips will help you extend the life of your batter:

     1. Keep battery terminals clean. Excessive oxidation and corrosion at the terminals builds resistance and will not allow proper charging.

     2. Fully discharge your battery periodically. Storage batteries can develop a memory much like other batteries. Periodically discharging your battery by leaving the car lights on will erase the memory. Be sure to completely recharge by using a trickle charger. This can be done overnight.

     Many professional mechanics state that by using just these 2 tips, You can extend the life of your car battery to almost 8 years.

  © 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU help others live THEIR American Dream...

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments (14)

Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I knew about discharging camera and phone batteries, but never heard about discharging a car battery.

That old adage is true. You learn something new every day.

 

Feb 26, 2010 07:22 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Michael, I've never heard of discharging the battery. I'm not sure I understand what you mean about recharging using a trickle charger.

Feb 26, 2010 08:43 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

I hope those things are being done when my car is serviced....

Feb 26, 2010 09:02 AM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Thanks Michael.  While in the Navy, an electrician told me some of their batteries were over 20 years old.

Feb 26, 2010 09:08 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Michael,

I am sure that is good advice but the night I discharged the battery is the night Nutsy would need to take me to the ER in a panic.

Feb 26, 2010 09:51 AM
June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

Michael, when I lived in Canada I went through lots of batteries in my car, problem there was the excessive cold and not alwyas being able to plug my car in at night and during long work days.  I've been lucky since I moved to Maryland.  thanks for the tips.

Feb 26, 2010 10:12 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Thanks for the tip Michael and believe it or not my car batteries lasted longer in the Midwest with -20 below zero weather than in Vegas with 120 degrees.

The life of a car battery in Vegas is two years and if you push it you may just end up stranded some where in the desert with 120 degrees ............ (OUCH)!

VB ;o)

Feb 26, 2010 10:36 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Michael, I am in a whole "car battery dispute" with an auto mechanic sent to me from AAA.  I'm so careful with my car and have had constant issues since they changed a two year old batter....and you're speaking of EIGHT?  Goodness, I'm going to contact them again!

Feb 26, 2010 11:27 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

What the heck is a trickle battery? (When I first read it, I thought it said 'tickle', that was even worse!)

Debi

Feb 26, 2010 11:48 AM
Jane Cross
Homes By Cross serving Charlotte NC Real Estate Needs - Charlotte, NC

Michael, So is that what a real car battery looks like?  I'm just kidding.

Feb 26, 2010 12:01 PM
June Tassillo
Owner/Broker RE/MAX Elite Realty - Franklin, NC
Let me help you with the next phase of your life!

Michael ~  and that gos for your Harley too that sits in the garage all winter.  It's NO fun pushing one of those beleve me.  I keep mine on a trickle charge all year.  I have not had to replace it in over 6 years now.  So I know its a fact that it works.

Feb 26, 2010 01:39 PM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Michael....I had never heard about fully discharging your car battery, interesting info.  You're right there is never an opportune time to have a dead battery.

Cosmic Cow

Feb 27, 2010 02:14 AM
Dick and Dixie Sells
Sells Real Estate, LLC - Trinity, FL
Realtors, Tampa Bay Florida Homes For Sale

That is some great information. Knew to do it with my cell phone, but not the car. Now when I leave my lights on and come out to a dead battery, I can tell Dick that I meant to do that! Then I will reference your post!

Have a great weekend,

Dixie

Feb 27, 2010 09:42 AM
Dan Quinn
The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD
Dan Quinn

I had not heard the trick about fully discharging your battery.  I know that works with phone batteries, heck why not with car batteries that are rechargeable as well!

Jan 15, 2011 08:27 AM