Essential Tips for Extending Your Car Battery life
Learn key maintenance tips to extend your car battery's lifespan. Regular checks, cleaning, and professional inspections can prevent surprises and ensure your vehicle starts reliably. Discover easy steps like inspecting water levels, cleaning terminals, and using protective grease. Keep your battery in excellent condition with these simple guidelines, ensuring smooth drives and avoiding unexpected failures.
Your vehicle's battery provides the power needed to start your car and keep it running smoothly. While most batteries last between three to five years, consistent maintenance and periodic checks are vital to ensure optimal performance. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the battery terminals, checking water levels (for non-maintenance-free batteries), and charging when necessary can significantly prolong battery life.
Follow these simple guidelines to maintain your car's battery:
Locating your car’s battery: Most vehicles have a durable plastic enclosure housing two terminals connected to the car's wiring.
The terminals are typically made of brass.
Monitor the water levels every two months if your vehicle uses a wet cell battery that isn’t maintenance-free: There are two main types—wet cell and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). AGM batteries usually don’t require water checks as they don’t lose water. But for wet cell batteries, ensure the water does not touch the bottom of the refill opening during checks.
Clean terminals periodically using a wire brush: Every six to eight months, carefully disconnect the terminals and clean any corrosion using a wire brush. This prevents buildup that can hamper electrical flow.
Apply high-temperature grease to protect the battery: Using special grease helps prevent rust and corrosion. Regularly clean the battery top and cables with baking soda, a non-metallic brush, and water to maintain longevity.
Have your voltage checked during servicing: Ask your mechanic to test your battery’s voltage during routine maintenance to ensure it functions properly and consider using products that support battery health.
Inspect any insulators: Some vehicles have insulators to shield the battery from excessive heat. These insulators contain fluids that can dry out; replace them as needed.
Consistently visit a mechanic: Routine professional inspections are essential for battery health and overall vehicle performance.
Drive safely and keep your battery in top shape!
