Tips for extending a car battery's life
"They just don't make them like they used to" is a frequent refrain for consumers that romanticize the past. And for some Canadians, "them" includes car batteries.
According to the Toronto Star, several motorists traveling the roadways can't help but be frustrated by the believed underperformance of their car batteries. Mechanics tell the paper this is largely the fault of car makers, which try to save costs by installing cheap, small batteries.
Fortunately, there are tips motorists can take advantage of to extend the life of their car battery.
Among the paper's suggestions, motorists should periodically check their battery's cables and terminals to make sure they're snug.
Something else that may shorten a battery's life are corroded connections. The paper says motorists should disconnect the battery and clean the connections with a soft wire brush to clear them of dirt.
Finally, the Star recommends having the battery's charging system checked at least once a year, depending on how old the battery is.
Drivers unfamiliar with cars may mistake a dead battery as a major repair that requires an auto insurance claim. In reality, the car may just need a jumpstart.