Have you ever been in an embarrassing situation where you find yourself stuck in the middle of the road?
We should admit, the only time we look at our car battery is when we are stranded because of it. Although the battery doesn’t demand much of maintenance work, still it’s the last thing we possibly care inside our vehicle for Business. The worst scenario is usually in the cool season, hen we turn the ignition on in the morning and find no life in the battery to start the engine.
On the other hands, performing a bit of car battery maintenance at regular intervals not only keeps you away from those embarrassing situation but at the same time provides an extra life you’ve been looking for. Even once a month, give a thorough look to your car battery and make sure it’s in a sound condition before you put the bonnet down once again, regardless of you own a brand new vehicle or one of those quality Japanese used car in United Kingdom.
Following are the six tips and tricks that you can make use to extend the car’s battery life, and keep on going for that bonus time:
Tip 1: Inspect the battery terminals to make sure they are clean
One of the common problems you will find in your car battery is the corrosion build around the terminals. The corrosion weakens the connection between the battery and the car, eventually making you look for a replacement.
The first thing you can do is to pour some anti-corrosion paste over the affected areas to clear the corrosion. After that, you can use a terminal cleaning brush or sponge to clean up the residue. Once you are getting done with it, let the battery dry and apply some wax on the terminal to keep them away from getting into corrosion again.
Tip 2: Don’t give load to the battery when the engine is switched off
Car batteries are designed to provide a sudden burst of power for ignition. They aren’t designed to give prolonged power to electronic devices like lights, stereo system, mobile chargers etc.
Therefore, if you constantly use such devices when the engine isn’t running, your car battery will lose its power at a very steady rate. So it’s best to avoid any car accessories or electronics while the engine is switched off.
Tip 3: Ensure that the battery cables are firmly attached and the battery is secured
Battery cables do lose their grip on the terminals when you drive on those bumpy streets. This at times could lead to a short circuit, and even get your experiencing damage on a constant basis. Therefore ensure that they are firmly attached.
Additionally, make sure that the battery is placed at the dedicated leveled surface under the hood so it doesn’t move around while the vehicle is on the move.
Tip 4: Keep the battery safe from harsh weather condition
Keeping the battery safe from those harsh weather conditions helps to maximize their lifespan. You simply need to get a battery insulation kit inside which you can place them. These kits are normally made of a thermal resistant material, keeping them safe from the scorching heat of summers, as well as the chills during the winters.
Tip 5: Keep the cables off and recharge them when not in use for a while
Car batteries lose their power when they are not used for a while. Therefore, before going on your next holiday trip and leaving your car behind in the garage, it’s better to take the battery cables off from the terminals while you’re away. And don’t forget to recharge it before you put your battery back into action once again.
Tip 6: Keep the water level at recommended levels
Have a look at the water levels in the battery at least once in a month. Depending upon the number of hours you drive every month, the water levels in your battery could go down faster than usual. But remember only to use distilled water to get the levels up.
Despite you drive a four wheel drive truck or a hatchback car, you can make use of the aforementioned tips to extend your car battery life quite through the easy way.