Key Takeaways
- 73% of AAA survey respondents plan post-Labor Day vacations, with 82% driving.
- Short journeys are damaging to car batteries due to insufficient charging time.
- Properly charged batteries are at 12.72 volts; drops below this can cause harm.
- Using a smart battery charger, such as the CTEK MXS 5.0, can extend battery life.
Chicago, IL–A recent AAA survey indicates that 73% of respondents plan to take a vacation after Labor Day. Of those who plan to travel, 82% will do so by car.
However, with fuel prices rising and general living costs increasing rapidly, many drivers are thinking twice before hopping in the car. They could even be going out less often, and when they take trips, they may take shorter journeys.
The problem is that shorter journeys could cause significant damage to car batteries.
Nothing could spoil a fun getaway more than a dead car battery. Luckily, you can take a few simple steps to keep your 12V battery in tip-top condition and avoid that unwelcome dent in your wallet.
CTEK’s quick guide to battery health looks at the following main issues with batteries:
1. What is draining your battery?
It just takes 150-350 amps of battery power to start the engine. Driving around on short errands in urban areas drains the battery because the alternator won’t have time to replace this charge, especially if your car has a stop/start function. In fact, if you’ve noticed your engine’s start and stop function isn’t working well lately, this may be because your battery isn’t sufficiently charged.
Even while your car is parked, your battery will lose 0.1V of energy every month and, in some cases, much more if running an alarm system, onboard computer, remote locking, etc.
2. Why is a drained battery not good?
A fully charged battery can quickly become a dead one, and even a small drop in charge can compromise battery health, reducing its life span and making replacement necessary. A 12-volt car battery is fully charged when its voltage reaches 12.72 volts. Below 12.4 volts, the battery may develop sulfate crystals that degrade its performance and reduce its capacity. And if it drops below 10.4 volts, the battery won’t start the car.
3. Charging the car’s battery
People who drive around in their cars without plugging them into a battery charger will find that their batteries only charge up to 80% capacity. They’ll need to use a battery charger to top up the charge and get it back to 100%.
Smart battery chargers like the CTEK MXS 5.0 use a patented adaptive charging system to top off your batteries’ charge safely. The CTEK MXS 5.0 is a fully automatic microprocessor-controlled charger with a built-in automatic temperature sensor; it uses a unique combination of advanced charging modes.
The MXS 5.0 has been upgraded to charge batteries in all weather conditions. The new charger is perfect for users with multiple vehicle types and higher-demand battery charging and maintenance requirements. The MXS 5.0 is a multipurpose charger that offers special reconditioning features, including restoring stratified and deeply discharged batteries, unique maintenance charging, and the charging of demanding AGM batteries. The charger is splash and dustproof, designed to protect vehicle electronics, non-sparking, reverse polarity protected, and short-circuit proof.
Keeping your car battery charged at least once a month prolongs its life by up to three times, so it makes sense to buy a reliable battery charger and develop a regular maintenance routine. And because a failed battery can damage or compromise your vehicle’s electronic systems, investing in a charger is worthwhile.
The smart driver choice is to invest in a CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger, which has built-in maintenance and troubleshooting functions. Before you find out your battery is dead and ruin the start of a fun fall getaway with an added expense, you could ensure your trip gets off to the right start with a smart battery maintainer.
What We Think
In the context of increasing short car trips, the necessity for diligent battery care is crucial. Smart chargers, exemplified by the CTEK MXS 5.0, are essential for maintaining battery health.
They represent a wise investment, potentially tripling battery lifespan and ensuring the reliability of your vehicle’s electronic systems. Establishing a habit of regular battery charging is not just practical; it’s a proactive measure against the inconvenience and expense of battery failure.
Read more in this release.
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