Your driving style can significantly impact your car’s battery life and overall health.
Understanding how your driving style affects your car’s battery can help you adjust.
Here’s a breakdown of how different habits and behaviors behind the wheel can affect your battery:
Frequent Short Trips
If you’re prone to making multiple short daily trips, such as a quick run to the ship, school, or office, your car’s battery will be negatively affected.
That’s because starting the engine draws a lot of power from the battery, and short journeys often don’t give the alternator enough time to recharge it fully.
Over time, this creates a deficit where the battery is consistently drained without proper replenishment. The result is a battery that weakens faster than expected and may eventually struggle to start your car.
Consider including longer drives into your routine now and then, or combine errands into a single trip to help your alternator recharge the battery correctly.
Stop-and-Go Driving
City traffic is often unavoidable, but it can be tough on your battery. In stop-and-go conditions, your vehicle spends much of its time idling or operating at low speeds.
Your engine also turns over slowly at low speeds, or Revs Per Minute (RPM). At low RPMs, the alternator spins more slowly and produces less electricity.
However, your electrical systems must still draw power from the alternator at slow speeds. This imbalance can also mean your alternator is undercharging and gradually weakening the battery.
Whenever possible, avoid unnecessary idling and use accessories sparingly in heavy traffic to reduce battery strain.
Aggressive Driving
If you’ve been called an aggressive driver who likes to accelerate and brake hard, your high-intensity driving style will strain your vehicle’s electrical system.
While driving aggressively doesn’t directly drain your battery, it will place more stress on the alternator and other components responsible for charging and power distribution.
Over time, this can accelerate wear and tear, indirectly impacting how efficiently your battery gets recharged and possibly shortening its life.
Smoother driving isn’t just better for fuel economy; it places components under the bonnet under far less stress.
Idling for Long Periods
If you often allow your car’s engine to idle for long periods, this will efficiently wear out your battery.
As mentioned for those driving in hectic stop-and-go traffic, your alternator generates very little power at low idle speeds, and it may not produce enough electricity to meet the demands of your systems.
If you plan on waiting for someone for extended periods, turn off unnecessary accessories when idling.
For those wondering, the same result occurs when you overuse electronics when parked.
Driving in Extreme Temperatures
Your car’s battery is sensitive to temperature swings. In cold weather, the chemical reaction that generates power slows down, making it harder for the battery to provide the needed current to start your engine.
In hot weather, internal components and fluid can degrade faster.
Extreme temperatures can push your battery past its limits when paired with short trips or frequent starts.
Limit short trips in winter; during summer, park in shaded areas when possible. Either way, regular battery checks are a must.
Failing to Maintain the Car
A battery doesn’t operate in isolation and is a part of a more extensive system. Corroded battery terminals, a loose or worn serpentine belt, or a failing alternator all reduce the battery’s ability to charge effectively.
If your alternator isn’t generating enough power or your terminals are too dirty to transfer it, the battery must work harder than necessary, wearing out faster.
Regular servicing and occasional visual checks under the hood can help preserve your battery’s lifespan.
Now that we know what specific driving styles can do to your battery, here’s our quick checklist for extending its life.
Tips to Extend Your Battery Life
To ensure your battery lasts longer, make sure to:
- Take longer drives occasionally to allow the battery to recharge fully.
- Turn off accessories before switching off the engine.
- Don’t leave electronics running when the engine is off.
- Check the battery and charging system regularly.
- Avoid excessive idling and aggressive starts.
If, however, you’re in the market for a new Willard battery, you can visit your closest Willard Xpress outlet.
