Is P&G bad for battery life?

[fixedgear]

On my way to work today in my Ranger, I did my usual coast to a stoplight. The light remained red too long, so I had to come to a full stop, whcih meant I had to use the starter instead of bumping it in 5th. Only this time, it didn't start. Good thing I was near a parking lot I could push into and bump it there.

Turns out the battery was kaput. Of course, it's a 6 year-old battery, but now I'm wondering if by doing as much P&G as I can, combined with the colder weather and the need to have the headlights, etc. on, is adversely affecting the battery. Is it getting deep-cycled too often? Will my new battery suffer a short life, sacrificing itself for my fuel frugality?


I welcome your thoughts!

[xcel]

Hi Fixedgear:

___You said it right to begin with, 6-years. You were lucky to get that out of it. On the replacement, pick up a good one and your set.

___And yes, anytime you are letting the battery bleed from a high to a medium percentage of SoC, it is taking life out of it. You will save far more than the $100 replacement cost in fuel however.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[bomber991]

Yeah and just again, how low can you let the voltage go before the car wont start, 11.5v?

[scissorhands]

Its more to do with what current (amps) the battery can supply.

A battery with as new voltage could potentially be a poor starter.

Pulse and glide shouldnt really a problem unless the glides are extremely long and or you shut down the engine after a long glide without charging the battery back up.

Innativity in unused cars kill a battery quicker as sulphating will occur.

6 years is great going for a auto battery