With proper care, the battery will provide many years of service. If the battery tests good, but fails to perform satisfactorily in service for no apparent reason, the following are some important factors that may point to the cause of trouble:

Some electronic devices on the vehicle impose small continuous current drains on the battery. This is commonly called parasitic load. If the vehicle is not used for an extended time, these parasitic loads can discharge and eventually cause permanent damage to the battery. Discharged batteries can also freeze in cold weather.

To help keep the battery in a charged state while storing the vehicle, follow the following steps:

1. If the vehicle is likely to be stored for over 30 days, make sure the green dot is visible, then disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery. Refer to Battery Cable Replacement in Engine Electrical.

1.1.	Use a wire brush to lightly clean any oxidation from the contact face of the battery terminal before reattaching the cable.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Tighten
Tighten the battery cable bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

1.2.	Reset the clock, push button radio tuning, etc., before the vehicle is put back into service.

2. If the battery cannot be disconnected, establish a regular schedule of recharging the battery 30-45 days to maintain a high state of charge. Any time a battery is found with the green dot not visible in the hydrometer, promptly recharge the battery.
3. To keep charge time low, use a battery charger that is capable of providing a charging voltage of at least 16 volts. Original equipment maintenance free batteries will not be damaged by charge rates of 50 amps or more, as long as the battery does not spill electrolyte from the vents, or get too hot over 52°C (125°F). Every 45-60 minutes, check the battery being charged and stop or reduce the charging rate if necessary. To avoid overcharging, stop charging within one hour after the green dot appears in the hydrometer.
4. Allow ample charging time. A battery that is allowed to remain in a discharged state for a long period of time will be difficult to recharge, and may even become permanently damaged if allowed to stay discharged. Refer to Battery Charging in Engine Electrical.

The freezing point of electrolyte depends on its specific gravity, or the state of charge. The higher the state of charge, the lower the freezing point. Since freezing may ruin a battery, it should be kept charged. A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures as high as -7°C (20°F). As long as the green dot is visible in the hydrometer, the freezing point of the battery will be somewhere below -32°C (-25°F). A fully charged battery will not freeze until the temperature falls below -65°C (-85°F).