The most important consideration in increasing the overall service life of a lead-acid battery is preventive maintenance.

• Protecting your battery from high temperatures with a heat shield or case, keeping it full charged at all times, and maintaining it are the easiest ways to extend it's life. In hot climates and during summer, the electrolyte levels need to be checked more frequently. For every increase of 18° F (10° C) above 77° F (25° C), positive grid corrosion or self-discharge rate is doubled.
• Periodically check the State-of-Charge of batteries. Based on charging systems sometimes it will undercharge the battery causing an accumulation of lead sulfate known as sulfation. This sulfation reduces the capacity of the battery. If the battery is not fully charged, recharge it periodically with an external battery charger matched to the battery type.
• Reducing the average DoD (Depth-of-Discharge) and the number of discharge/charge cycles, by proper deep cycle battery or battery bank sizing will significantly increase a deep cycle battery service life.
• If required, give periodic equalizing charge. Equalizing can also prevent electrolyte stratification, which can cause sulfation.
• In cold climates, increasing the diameter of the battery cables will reduce the voltage loss.
• Never discharge any 12-volt lead-acid battery below 10.5 volts because it can damage the battery.

Provide adequate ventilation. High ambient temperatures above 80° F (or 26.7° C) will shorten battery life because it increases positive grid corrosion, growth and VRLA "thermal runaway".