Your car’s battery is crucial; it provides the juice to start your engine and power all the electronics and accessories. A dead battery, then, can really ruin your day. Fortunately, with some simple maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of the battery significantly. Here is what you need to know to keep that battery running.
Check the Connections
One of the most common battery issues is corrosion buildup on the terminals. This crusty white or bluish deposit can prevent the electrical current from flowing properly. At least a couple times a year, pop the hood and take a look.
If you spot corrosion, you will want to disconnect the battery cables and clean off the crud. A wire brush or baking soda and water solution can do the trick. Once the terminals are clean and dry, reattach the cables snugly. You may want to put a dab of dielectric grease on the connections to prevent future corrosion.
Watch for Signs of Trouble
Even with good connections, batteries can still fail over time. This is why, according to the experts over at Clore Automotive, it is smart to use a battery tester periodically to check the charge level.Â
If the tester shows a low charge, it may just need to be recharged. But if recharging doesn’t help, it’s probably nearing the end of its lifespan. Don’t wait until it completely dies to replace an old battery, as this could leave you stranded.
Cut Down on Drain
Did you know that even when your car is off, there are still tiny electrical currents slowly draining the battery? Items like your car clock, security system, and radio presets use small amounts of power all the time.
To reduce this drain, avoid leaving interior lights, headlights, or accessories like phone chargers plugged in when not driving. And if you’ll be storing your car for a while, use a trickle charger or disconnect the battery to prevent it from going dead.
Go Easy on Accessories
Accessories can really tax your electrical system when the engine is idling or turned off. Things like seat warmers, radio systems, phone chargers and so on create higher demands on the battery.
To avoid excessive drain, try limiting heavy accessory use until you have been driving for a while. This gives the battery a chance to get recharged by the alternator first.
Care for an Aging Battery
As batteries get older, they lose their ability to hold a full charge. It’s important then to give them some extra TLC in their golden years. Here are some tips to that end:
- Use a battery tester more frequently (once a month) to stay ahead of problems.
- Consider replacing batteries over 4-5 years old, even if they still work.
- Limit accessory use and avoid short trips that do not recharge fully.
- Keep battery terminals clean and connections tight.
- Consider using a trickle charger periodically to top it off.
The small effort of routine battery care pays off by avoiding the headaches of a dead battery. A few minutes here and there are way easier than getting stuck with a no-start situation.
Conclusion
Paying a little attention to your battery goes a long way towards keeping your car reliable and avoiding inconvenient breakdowns. Just a few simple habits can buy you extra years of life from your battery. Making battery maintenance part of your regular car care routine is a small investment that pays huge dividends. With minimal effort, you can avoid the hassles of an unexpected dead battery situation and keep your ride ready to roll whenever you need it.