Tips for Keeping Your Car Battery Long-Lasting

Tip 1: Avoid Frequent Short Trips

When you start your Mazda, the battery uses a lot of energy. As you drive, the battery will regain its power, especially when driving for many miles. On the other hand, short trips take away the time your vehicle has to recharge. So, if you do this over and over, you can expect a steady reduction in your car battery’s voltage.

The Solution

Drive your vehicle frequently and for longer periods. If you have to make a short trip, attempt to reduce the number of shorter rides you take to help preserve your car’s battery life.

Tip 2: Fasten Your Battery

As you drive, vibration can cause the battery to jostle. Excessive vibration often leads to damage to a battery’s internal components, which in turn, leads to a drained battery.

The Solution

Purchase an approved or genuine Mazda OEM (original equipment manufacturer) battery clamp to secure the battery in its rightful position. We recommend letting our service technicians install this, having a trusted person do it for you, or installing it yourself if you’re comfortable.

Tip 3: Minimize Power Usage

Have you ever accidentally left your headlights on overnight? Did your kid forget to close their door all the way? Was the trunk left open after you grabbed the groceries? With these features running for an extended period, they can drain your Mazda’s battery fast.

The Solution

Before you exit your car, make sure all the doors, the trunk, and the hood are properly closed. Also, make sure you’ve manually switched off any interior lights or headlights to avoid loss of power.

When you’re idling, turn off your headlights as well as other interior lights to avoid excessive power usage.

Tip 4: A Clean Battery Is a Happy Battery

Yes, battery terminals corrode over time. However, they can also become coated with dust, dirt, and grime when they haven’t been dressed in a while. A battery can discharge across the grime on its casing, which may lead to a short circuit, and eventually, flattened battery life.

The Solution

You can gently wipe down the battery or do a deeper clean with a toothbrush dipped into a baking soda and water concoction. Rinse off the mixture with cold water, and then wipe it down with a clean cloth. You can also give our service center a call to see what our technicians can do for you.

Tip 5: Avoid Excessive Heat Exposure

Texas is known for its hot climate, especially during the summer months. Extreme heat is hard on car batteries because it drastically increases the rate of water evaporation from the cells.

The Solution

There are various ways for you to keep your car cool during hot weather. For instance, you can try parking your Mazda in the shade when possible, or you can park in a garage. You can also research ways to keep your battery insulated from heat generated in the engine bay.

Tip 6: Run Your Vehicle Regularly

In order to preserve your car battery’s life, we recommend running it on a regular basis, especially vehicles with lead-acid batteries. This type of battery tends to “self-discharge” at a one-percent rate per day at room temperature.

The Solution

Take your car out for a generous ride a few times a week if you don’t drive it often. This will help keep the battery long-lasting, and it will help keep it healthy. If you won’t be driving your vehicle for more than a week, we recommend connecting it to a trickle charger.

Have Any Questions About Car Battery Health?

By following these tips, you can preserve your Mazda’s battery life. If you’re interested in learning more or need car battery service, contact our team at Group 1 Mazda Denton near Denton, Carrollton, and Flower Mound, TX, today.