Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed herein to adjust active-set parameters based on the remaining battery life of a mobile station, generally in order to conserve battery power when the battery is low. An exemplary method involves: (a) a mobile station determining a battery-power level of the mobile station; (b) the mobile station using the determined battery-power level as a basis for setting at least one active-set parameter affecting the number of active sectors in an active set of the mobile station; and (c) the mobile station maintaining the active set according to the at least one active-set parameter. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile station may set a maximum number of active sectors that the mobile station can include in the active set and/or parameters affecting whether a sector is included in the active set.