When most people think about car maintenance, they think about oil changes, engines, and fixing the external appearance of their vehicle – and of course, tire inflation. However, many people who seem to think they are tackling all the necessary safety aspects of automotive maintenance are actually ignoring a very important and vital aspect of car maintenance – the car’s battery. Only by regularly maintaining your car battery can you guarantee that you will maximize its longevity. Here’s a guide from the towing experts here at Towing Chicago on some tips that you can follow to maximize the life of your car battery.
Check Battery Water Levels
Make sure that you check the water level in your car’s battery, and refill it using distilled water and a funnel if it’s low. Take care not to overfill it, and ensure that the liquid hits the bottom of the battery refill holes.
Clean Battery Terminals
Make sure to use a wire brush to clean the battery terminals about every six to eight months. Pull the battery connectors up or to the side and take them off the battery terminal. Then rub the wire brush into a paste of distilled water and baking soda, and gently scrub dried acid build up. Then, using a rubber mallet, hit the connectors back into their proper place.
Cell Voltage
Periodically bring your vehicle to an automotive shop to have the battery cell voltage inspected. The team there will check the voltage as well as charge it, and potentially catch any latent issues.
Engine Servicing
Regularly have your car’s engine tuned-up through regular servicing, as a malfunctioning or poorly running car engine can quickly overload and degrade the car’s battery.
Corrosion Harm Reduction
Make sure that the battery’s terminals are fully secured and free of all corrosion. Enlist the aid of a professional mechanic to help lower the corrosion that occurs within the battery – utilizing anti corrosive sprays are also a good idea.
Don’t Drain the Battery
Don’t leave interior lights, headlights, AC, heat, or the radio on when you’re not using your car. This rapidly drains your car’s battery – which will then require recharging – and the more times the battery is recharged, the shorter it will last.
Clean Battery Cases
Make sure to check the battery cases for dirt or grime, and clean them regularly in order to avoid damage to the battery case that can cause charging loss of the battery itself.
Ensure Batteries Stay in Place
The vibration of driving can damage battery plates, and the less securely mounted the battery is to it’s tray, the more vibrations will occur. Make sure the car battery is fully secured to their tray terminals – as loose connections can bang the battery around, damaging it.