1. Change when cranking power and performance is nearing the minimum requirement for your car.
It’s recommended that each car battery is replaced after 2 years and to ensure your vehicle runs properly it’s important that you don’t forget to do this.
There’s nothing worse than losing power mid-journey, so don’t try to extend the life of your battery for longer than you should.
Here’s some useful advice on how to replace your car battery
2. Check the acid level
As part of your car battery maintenance you should check the acid level of your battery around every six months.
Be on the lookout for acid stratification, which happens when batteries dwell at a charge below 80 per cent, never receive a full charge or have shallow discharges.
If you have a stratified battery, electrolytes will concentrate at the bottom and leave the top starved.
Your battery is particularly at risk if your car is primarily driven short distances with power-robbing accessories in use.
3. Conduct a battery load test
For comprehensive car battery maintenance, every month you’ll want to conduct a battery load test, which can be done by a mechanic.
This car battery service is to ensure that the device can charge properly, even in freezing temperatures.
4. Clean the battery
Dirt and debris can be bad news for your battery if it gets into the cells. It can also cause corrosion on nearby metal, so it’s important important as part of your car battery maintenance, to clean the top of the battery and around the terminals.
Cleaning the car battery
Ammonia-based window cleaners are often recommended but a combination of baking soda and water will help to get rid of any ‘crust’ when applied via a wire brush. Baking soda and water is particularly useful for cleaning corrosion. However, as a rule of thumb you want to think of the brush as damp, as opposed to wet.
You also need to make sure you fully wipe the battery down so no baking soda residue is left, as this can cause corrosion.
It’s important that when cleaning the battery, no fluid is let in through the battery ports.
5. Keep cables tied
It’s important that your cables don’t move, so be sure to keep them tied tightly. This will help to keep everything properly secure.
6. Don’t leave your car for too long
If you leave your car too long without driving it, your battery will drain down.
It’s recommended that you drive your vehicle at least every three days.
7. Keep the battery warm
The cold weather is bad news for your battery so it’s important to try to keep it warm during winter.
An engine or battery heater is often advised to help cars stay up and running in the cold. They not only make it easier to start the battery but help to minimise power consumed.
8. Don’t over-charge
If you charge your battery manually, it’s important not to over-charge it as this can lead to damage.
Check on the battery every half an hour to see how it’s progressing.
Breakdown Cover from Start Rescue
A flat or faulty battery is one of the three main reasons people call upon their breakdown recovery service provider for assistance.
Maintaining your car battery will help reduce the likelihood of breaking down due to a fault with the battery, however arranging breakdown cover with Start Rescue will ensure you’re covered should the unfortunate happen.
Notes: Disclaimer
