One of the problems faced by many car owners in Australia is shortened battery life. Contrary to what most car owners think, car battery failure is rarely caused by manufacturing defect — bad driving habits are the more probable culprits. Steer clear of these habits if you want to enjoy reliable service from your car battery and get maximum service life from it.

Regular use of electronic add-ons

Your battery provides the power required to start your car, but it usually powers more than just the vehicle. All electrical components in your vehicle, from alternators to headlights, windshield wipers, air conditioners and the power steering, rely on electricity generated by the battery to function.

If you have extra electronics such as satellite radios, DVD players, GPS systems and radar detectors in your car, they will take their toll on your battery. While your car battery is manufactured to match the demands of your vehicle's electrical system, it may not cope so well when you use electronic add-ons while driving.

Additional electronics can drain your battery, so make it a habit to turn off any add-ons you are not using while driving. And, before you can turn off the engine, make sure you turn off all your electronic devices first. If left turned on, your electronics will keep draining your battery.

Seldom driving long distances

Many people are oblivious to the fact that rarely driving long distances can take a negative toll on their car battery. When you drive short distances exclusively without taking your car for a long-distance spin, your battery will not be able to reach "full" charge. This will cause your battery to undergo a process referred to as acid stratification, whereby the electrolyte concentration is heavy on the bottom and light on top. As the electrolyte concentration on the upper part of the battery contains poor-quality acid, corrosion rates will be accelerated. This will, in turn, compromise the service life of your battery.

To prevent car trouble resulting from a stratified battery life, you should take your car for a long-distance spin between the short trips you normally make. The long trips will boost your battery's health a great deal.

If you can avoid the above-discussed driving habits, you will most likely enjoy extended battery life. But if you notice that your battery is starting to fail, it is best to find a replacement beforehand because you can never tell when your old battery will die completely. Check out sites like http://www.wollongongmechanical.com.au to get started.