Drivers are Keeping their Cars for 12+ Years

CTEK Asks...But are They Changing their Maintenance Habits?

CHICAGO, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

With rising new and used car prices and a shortage of cars at dealerships, research firm S&P Global Mobility recently reported that the average age of vehicles on U.S. roadways hit a record high of 12.2 years in 2021, increasing for the fifth straight year in a row.  Interestingly, with drivers keeping their vehicles longer, CTEK, the leading global brand in battery charging, also found that drivers' maintenance habits weren't always on par to upkeep their vehicle's headlights, tire pressure and brake checks — especially the often-overlooked car battery.

Over time, vehicle usage can affect battery degradation until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine.  However, on average, this could take three to five years.  For cars driven mostly on short trips, these batteries may not fully recharge and could even naturally self-discharge in vehicles parked for extended periods at an airport lot.  If heat, high loads placed on the vehicle, and improper charging come into play, these variables can also contribute to battery life and performance.

CTEK predicts that as many as 50 percent of vehicles on the road today has a battery that requires attention because it is either below 12.4 volts in need of a charge (just 75 percent charged) or needs replacing altogether.  This means that half of the driving population is at risk of battery failure which could happen at the most inconvenient time!  Especially with people holding on to their vehicles longer, the greater the risk of battery failure.

Bobbie DuMelle, Executive Vice President at CTEK North America says, "Our car battery is not just there to start the vehicle. It supports your car to run the many on-board computers powering lights, air conditioning, safety features, infotainment, seat adjustments and more.  By regularly charging your vehicle battery once a month, our tests have identified that a battery maintenance charger like the CTEK MXS 5.0 will keep the car battery fully charged, significantly extending its service life by as much as three times longer."

The CTEK MXS 5.0 offers a unique approach to battery care. It is a fully automatic charger and maintainer with a built-in automatic temperature sensor that can help to extend battery life and protect against a dead battery.  While it's the perfect charger for your car, it can also be used on motorcycles, ATVs and 4x4s. The MXS 5.0 also has a special reconditioning function that restores deeply discharged batteries, unique maintenance charging, and the charging of demanding AGM RV batteries (i.e., Optima). It comes with a five-year warranty and can be found on smartercharger.com, Amazon and many automotive retailers.

Established in Dalarna, Sweden, CTEK is the leading global brand in battery charging solutions, most specifically vehicle charging. CTEK offers products ranging from 12V and 24V battery chargers to charging solutions for electrical vehicles. CTEK's E-mobility solutions range from individual EV chargers to larger corporate and commercial installations with multiple charging stations that require load balancing and integrate seamlessly with monitoring and payment equipment. CTEK's products are sold via a carefully selected network of global distributors and retailers: as original equipment; supplied to more than 50 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers; and through charge point operators, property owners and other organizations/individuals providing EV charging infrastructure. CTEK takes pride in its unique culture based on a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the transition to a greener mobility, by adhering to industry leading ESG standards.

PRESS CONTACT

Michelle Suzuki
310-444-7115
https://smartercharger.com

SOURCE MSC for CTEK