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If it's time to replace your car battery, you may find yourself wondering if it's possible to make the new battery last longer. Typically, car batteries last three-five years in a standard, gasoline-powered vehicle. Your success rate will vary depending on multiple factors, but there are several ways to improve the odds of keeping your car battery around longer.

Below are five ways to make a car battery last longer:

Keep the Battery Clean: It seems simple, but cleaning is an effective way to improve your car battery's lifespan. By cleaning the battery terminals and surrounding area regularly, you can prevent corrosion. When corrosion forms, it can drain the battery and put a premature end to its service life. If you notice corrosion during a car battery inspection, make sure not to touch it. You can remove the corrosion, but you will need some safety gear and supplies. Otherwise, drop by an auto repair shop and ask for assistance.

Avoid Short Trips (when possible): It doesn't always make sense to take a longer commute, but you should be aware that short trips are tougher on your car battery than long ones. This is because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge during a short drive. Combining errands and taking the scenic route home will give the car battery more time to recharge.

Reduce Electrical Load: Modern vehicles (and some older ones) tend to offer a variety of electrical creature comforts. Electrical accessories like the radio, air conditioner, interior/exterior lights, and smartphone charging ports will drain the battery. To improve the life of your car battery, reduce the use of car electronics, and remember to unplug anything after you shut off the engine.

Keep it Properly Charged: Similarly to Point #2, take your car out for a long drive every so often to give the battery a chance to charge fully. If you're not a frequent driver, there is a product known as a "battery maintainer" that can assist you with charging the battery.

Keep it Cool: It's a popular belief that winter is hard on car batteries, but heat might be a more potent enemy. High summer temperatures will take a toll on your car battery, evaporating water from the cells. When possible, park your vehicle in the shade or in a garage to keep the car battery cool.

Following these tips can help you extend the life of your car battery and avoid early car battery replacement.

What About Car Battery Brands? There are many brands of car batteries on the market, but what's most important is choosing a battery that's the right "fit" for your vehicle. This refers to the battery size as well as its type (some batteries are designed for specific climates), terminal configuration, and other factors. When you visit an auto repair center in Puyallup, Washington, a service technician can assist you in finding an optimal replacement battery for your vehicle make and model.