Battery doesn't hold a charge well

I have a V710. Itis aboout 14 months old and the battery doesn't hold a charge very well lately. I ordered a new battery. How should I charge? I am a newbie with cell phones. Right now, whether it needs it or not, I put it on the charger every night. In the car, too. Is this good or should I wait until it is almost gone?

Also, should I turn it off every night? Someone said I should do that once in a while because when I turn it back on, it is like rebooting and new 'software'? is downloaded? I don't really understand that, but that is what someone said. Thanks.

As far as the charging process goes, newer lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect like the old nickel batteries used to so just a good full complete charge the first couple of times will condition your battery, after that you can charge it whenever you need to, it will not hurt it if you charge it everynight, i usually don't charge it in the car unless i really need to.

It's good to turn your phone off and on at least once a week to reset your software and keep it running smoothly just like a PC.

here's some good reading on batteries maintenance that i always post when the subject comes up. The Battery University

thanks. I believe this phone has the newer style batteries. I spoke with someone today who did say that charging in the car can kill the battery..(??)

that's not true.

Thanks...

That would only be true if there was something seriously wrong with the car's electrical system, and the breaker fuse in the car charger failed to work. Car chargers (at least the OEM ones), have a fuse in them that will fry if too much voltage is put to it. Or you happened to be using a third party car charger that didn't have a fuse in it, then that very well could cause harm, should the car's electrical system go wonky.

Now of course all bets are off should the car's electrical system were to get struck lightening while grounded.