Vehicle owners are recommended to maintain their car battery to extend its life. It also helps you to save money over the long term. There are various maintenance tips that will extend the life of your car battery, and make it more reliable. By limiting short rides, and regularly cleaning your battery terminals , you can extend its life.
If you do not use your car regularly, then it is best to buy a Victron 12v smart car battery charger, to charge your battery properly. Another way to maintain your car battery is to keep the battery terminals clean. With time, the terminals of the battery corrode and reduce its lifespan. It is best to clean the terminals with boiling water out of the kettle and then spray with wd40 or inox once dried. This composition will clean your battery terminals, by removing buildup. It also keeps your new car battery working for a long time. Read more below to look at the 10 best maintenance tips to extend the life of your car battery.
Warning Signs of a Weak or Failing Battery
There are some signs that show you a weak or failing battery. You should be aware of these signs
- The charging battery lamp illuminated
- The starter vehicle cranks the engine slowly
- Dim headlights, especially while idling
- Electrical problems with heated seats, radio, etc
10 Tips for Car Battery Maintenance Every Driver Should Know
Maintaining the car battery is not a tough task. You can easily maintain the battery and extend its life, by following the given tips. Here we tell you 10 car battery maintenance tips that you should know:
1. Regular Inspection and Cleaning
You should clean the battery terminals regularly and should check terminals for corrosion, that appear as an ashy substance, white/blue around it. It is suggested to clean the battery terminals, by using boiling water slowly over the terminals. You should clean it to ensure a strong connection and prevent the drainage of power.
2. Avoiding Short Drives
If you drive your car for a short distance, then it also weakens the life of the battery. Starting the car needs significant energy, and short tips do not give enough time to the battery to recharge completely. So, you have to avoid short trips of less than 10 minutes to save your battery from prematurely ageing.
Go on long scenic drives around pur beutiful Sunshine Coast to reduce the impact of short trips on the battery and extend its life.
3. Checking Battery Voltage
Checking battery voltage regularly also helps you to maintain the car battery properly. Testing the battery will save you from battery failure or breakdown. Ensure you hire a skilled mechanic who will perform a battery test and clean the terminals at every service. You can also do a battery test at home between Mobile Car Battery Service.
To check the battery voltage, you should use a voltmeter. Digital voltmeters are easy to use to check it. It is suggested to complete the voltage test at least 12 hours after car has been switched off. It will give you an accurate voltage readings and enable you to maintain it properly.
4. Ensuring the Battery is Securely Mounted
Next, you have to ensure that your car battery is mounted properly to prevent movement. Vibration can damage the plates of the battery and shorten its lifespan. It is best to regularly check the mounting brackets and tighten to prevent vibration.
5. Protecting from Extreme Temperatures
There is a misconception among car owners that cold weather damages the car batteries, but it is not always true. Car batteries require more pressure to start the engine in the winter months, but the reason behind the battery failure is that they are sustained during the summer months.
Extreme temperatures on batteries will shorten the battery life. It increases the rate of water evaporation from cells. The cold reveals the shortcomings of weaker batteries, because lower temperature snaps the cranking power.
6. Avoiding Unnecessary Power Drain
Extreme power also drains the car battery and shortens its life. So, you have to turn off the electronics, including the radio, headlights, and charging devices, if you do not use your car. Keep all lights off when you do not use the vehicle to save the battery from draining quickly.
7. Regular Testing, Especially for Older Batteries
Regular testing of the battery helps you to identify the problems and prevent severe conditions. It is suggested to use a multimeter to test the battery voltage. A fully charged battery must have a voltage around 12.6 volts. If the voltage is lower, then it might be time to replace the battery. You should also test the battery load at our store or by a licensed mechanic.
A load test will give you the battery ability to charge properly and give you an accurate evaluation of battery health. By performing regular maintenance and inspection, you can easily extend its life.
8. Keeping Battery Charged During Inactivity
If you have not used your car recently, then you should use a trickle charger or solar charger, to maintain it. These charges keep the battery charged, even inactivity. These charges prevent the battery discharge conditions and extend its life.
9. Check Alternator Health
Alternator is the essential device that keeps your car battery charged. If the alternator is damaged, then it drains the battery quickly. So, you have to check the alternator’s health regularly. It will ensure that the alternator works properly and does not damage your car battery. Your mechanic should be doing this are every service.
10. Seek Professional Help for Regular Servicing
You have to get regular professional services to inspect the battery life. Professionals will spot the battery issues earlier, perform the maintenance, and give you an analysis of the battery condition. It will ensure the longevity of both the battery and the vehicle.
Benefits of Regular Battery Testing by a Professional
Here are the benefits of regular battery testing by professionals
Early Detection of Issues
Professional testing can determine the problems before they lead to complete battery failure. It provides you timely detection of battery issues and extends its life.
Accurate performance check
Technicians use the equipment to measure the charge capacity, voltage and performance of the battery. It will give you an accurate analysis of battery health.
Longer battery life
Another benefit of regular battery testing by professionals is that it addresses the minor issues. It will extend the lifespan of the car battery and save money.
Enhance safety
Regular car battery testing can prevent dangerous situations caused by battery failures or leaks. It will ensure the safe operation of the car.
Improve the reliability of the battery
Regular battery maintenance will reduce the risk of breakdowns and ensure that your car starts reliably.
Professional advice
The best thing about the regular battery testing is that it gives you advice on maintenance, charging techniques, and tells you the right time to replace the battery. It will enhance the car battery performance.
Common Mistakes That Shorten Car Battery Life
The car owners should be aware of common mistakes that will damage your battery and shorten the life. Here are the common mistakes
Age
Car batteries have limited life, around 3-4 years. With time, the batteries ability to hold a charge will reduce and lead to failure.
Extreme temperature
Both cold winters and hot summers can take a toll on car batteries. High temperatures will increase chemical reactions in the battery. The freezing temperature increases the resistance in the car.
Lack of Maintenance
If you ignore the maintenance of the car battery regularly, then it causes car battery draining. So, you should avoid this mistake by regularly checking the fluid levels and clean terminals. It prevents the battery performance from corroded.
Overcharging
Excessively charging the battery can damage its internal components. So, you have to avoid this mistake and only charge the battery that is required.
Electrical Drain
Do not leave Interior lights, headlights or other electrical accessories, when the engine is off. If you do it, then it drains your battery with time.
When Should You Replace Your Battery?
It is important to know the right time to replace the car battery. A falling battery can leave them stranded. Regular checks can prevent breakdowns. Here are the signs that help you to know the time for battery replacement
- Slow Engine Crank: The engine cranks slower than average.
- Check Engine Light: This dimming light indicates battery problems.
- Old Age: Batteries over 3 years old are less reliable.
- Frequent Jump Starts: Needing frequent jumps is a bad sign.
- Low Battery Fluid Level: Low fluid shows a battery problem.
Conclusion
Car battery maintenance is important to consider by car owners. If you do not maintain the car battery, then it will reduce performance/battery life. By following the above maintenance tips, you can easily maintain the battery of the car and extend its life. It saves your battery from potential troubles on the road.
Keep in mind that prevention of car battery damage is better before it becomes a severe problem. So, you have to take leading steps to maintain the car battery. It saves you money from costly repairs and replacements. So, prioritize the car battery maintenance in routine car care, and keep your car well maintained.
The experts at Batteries Sunshine Coast will help you through battery tests or maintenance when you require. We offer free for battery testing at our store and battery maintenance to extend your car batteries life.