Key Takeaways
- Batteries are needed to start your car and power its electronic components.
- Clean your Chrysler’s battery terminals to improve the connectivity between the battery and the cables.
- Check your battery’s cables and connections, and consult a technician if you notice any damage.
- Wipe the battery casing so that accumulated dirt doesn’t drain its power.
- Change your driving habits, so your Chrysler’s battery isn’t under unnecessary pressure and preserved accordingly.
- You can also insulate your battery to maintain a consistent temperature during hot and cold weather both.
- If nothing works, your battery may need replacing, for which you should consult a technician.
Car batteries are the most vital component of your car – you can’t start a car without a battery! Also, batteries power several electronic components of your vehicle, like the fan, lights, USB ports, and more.
Your Chrysler’s battery life is around 3-5 years and, if maintained well, can be stretched even longer. However, you’ll need to replace your battery after a certain period, no matter how much care you take – batteries don’t last forever.
Just remember that certain conditions can impact the longevity of your Chrysler’s battery life, like heat, humidity, and weather. You can also always tell the condition of your battery when the weather is cold – a battery nearing the end of its life will take much longer to start your car in the cold.
5 Simple Ways to Extend Chrysler’s Battery Life
To prevent your Chrysler’s battery from failing or leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere, we have a few tips to follow to prolong its life all year round.
Clean The Terminals
Car batteries work much better when cleaned properly, which is valid for most electronic items. Corrosion on your Chrysler’s battery terminals makes it difficult for the current to flow between the battery and the cables, preventing your car from starting.
To clean your terminals, scrape minor corrosion with a screwdriver or pliers to keep the current flowing. Often, drivers mistake functioning batteries for “dead” batteries because their terminals have too much built-up corrosion for them to work correctly. Don’t make the same mistake – instead, make it a point to clean your terminals whenever possible.
If there is a more significant buildup of corrosion, take your Chrysler to a service center and consult a technician. They will clean your terminals, spray them with an anti-corrosion solution, and install corrosion protectors to prevent further damage. This will increase your Chrysler’s battery life and help you avoid replacing it.
Check Cables And Connections
Every time you check your Chrysler’s oil, check your battery – it should be securely in place since the excessive vibrating of a loose battery can damage the plates. Similarly, ensure the battery terminal connections are tight since loose connections can make it break down sooner.
Sometimes, your battery isn’t even the problem; it could be working perfectly, but your cable could be damaged, preventing the current from reaching the components of your Chrysler that need it. This can make it seem like your battery is failing when your cables are damaged.
Check your cables if you feel like your battery isn’t working correctly. If you notice any damage, consult a technician immediately.
Wipe The Casing
It may seem complicated to believe that a dirty battery casing affects its life, but it is proven that dirt and debris that collects on your battery’s casing can drain its power. This dirt buildup can also make it harder to start your car, especially in cold weather or if you’re driving it after a few days.
Fortunately, all you need to do is wipe the casing off with a damp rag to clean it, and you’re good to go.
Modify Your Driving Habits
Several driving habits could contribute to your Chrysler battery’s rapid drainage. Remember – the battery aims to start the car and keep it running. Once the engine starts, it begins recharging the battery.
But suppose you’re careless and leave the interior lights, headlights, radio, or other electrical components on long while the car is off. In that case, the battery will drain rapidly without being charged simultaneously (since the engine isn’t running).
This will make it challenging to start your car the next time you drive it. Not only that but frequent draining and recharging of your battery will shorten its life drastically.
In addition, you should make sure you drive your car regularly; your Chrysler’s battery life will be drained if you keep it sitting for weeks or months without driving it. If your Chrysler is sitting idly in your garage, take it around for a spin every week to prevent your battery from failing.
That said, do not make short, unnecessary trips instead of preserving your Chrysler’s battery life – short trips tax the battery since it has to start the car first, recharge for only a few minutes (while you drive), and then turn it back off.
Consider walking or riding a bicycle when you have closeby errands to run, and if it’s too cold for that to be an option, leave the car running while you swiftly run your errand.
Insulate Your Battery
You can always go the extra mile and buy simple plastic insulating blankets for your Chrysler’s battery. These insulators help keep your battery warm in cold weather and cooler in hot weather.
Since it helps the battery maintain a moderate temperature regardless of the weather conditions, an insulating blanket can significantly increase your Chrysler’s battery life. Just ensure your battery is small enough for enough space in your engine compartment to wrap it in the blanket.
Signs You Should Replace Your Battery
If you see any of the following symptoms in your Chrysler’s battery, make sure you bring it in and get it checked at a dealership as soon as possible:
- When the ignition clicks but your Chrysler doesn’t start
- When you see a buildup of corrosion around the battery
- When you smell rotten eggs from the battery
- When your engine starts but turns over too slowly
- When battery-powered components of your car are malfunctioning
- When the battery case is bloated
All of the above signs indicate that your battery might be failing. In such cases, it is best to consult a technician instead of tinkering around with your battery. The worst that can happen is you will require a replacement for your battery.
So How Do You Extend Your Chrysler’s Battery Life?
Remember: not every battery suits a specific vehicle or driving conditions. If you try all of the above and still face problems with your Chrysler battery, go to a Chrysler service expert who understands your vehicle’s needs.
It’s not only the battery company that makes all the difference but also the size, reserve capacity, offered amps, and more. Fortunately, our service professionals consider all these aspects when handling a Chrysler battery.
At Auffenberg Chrysler of Herrin, our team of experts will thoroughly inspect your battery before drawing any conclusions, keeping your needs and requirements in mind. So what are you waiting for? Visit our dealership on South Park Avenue, Herrin, IL, today!
