Use

Standard use and recharging of a battery with an alternator or battery charger when the battery discharges, causes little harm to a battery's life. Allowing your battery to fully discharge, either by letting it sit idle for a long period of time or through heavy use without recharging, will severely shorten the battery's life. Repeatedly cycling a battery (discharging and charging in mid range, never being charged to 100% of its capacity) is also a factor in premature battery failure.