Like other vehicle components, a battery is crucial and needs regular maintenance and care. It serves as the vehicle’s lifeline, powering the engine and facilitating the start-up process. A dead battery can cause a car to break down in the middle of nowhere, which is why it’s essential to maintain and regularly check your battery for wear and tear. Doing so will help prolong its lifespan and save you from unexpected situations during your travels.
A healthy car battery is essential for starting the engine, powering the lights, and operating all electronic components. It even allows you to charge your mobile device while on the go. Therefore, maintaining your car battery is crucial to prevent car breakdowns and unnecessary battery replacements. In this blog, we have shared valuable tips to ensure your battery remains in top condition.
Tips to Maintain Your Car Battery
Various factors can impact the performance of your car battery. Extreme weather conditions are one of the leading reasons why car batteries tend to act up. In the UAE, the weather remains hot throughout the year, which can significantly impact battery health, causing it to wear out faster. Additionally, not charging the battery frequently, driving on rough roads, and lack of maintenance can all contribute to the wear and tear of car batteries.
Replacing a car battery can be expensive and can take a toll on your wallet. Therefore, it is always better to be safe than sorry by keeping your battery maintained and making it last longer. Below are some valuable tips that you can follow to maintain your car battery.
Regular Battery Checkups
The most crucial practice is to regularly check your car battery to ensure it runs efficiently. Clean your car battery once or twice a month to prevent corrosion. If there are any signs of corrosion, make sure to clean it thoroughly. It is crucial to be attentive to prevent corrosion from forming on the battery, as it slows down the battery’s performance and causes a poor connection between the cables. Additionally, check the water levels in the battery regularly and remember to use distilled water for every refill.
Check Battery Voltage
To test your car battery’s performance, you can use a digital voltmeter. If you have one, you can check the battery condition by yourself. But remember to turn off the ignition for at least 12 hours before testing the battery. If the reading shows 12.5 or more voltage, then it indicates that the battery is in good health. However, if the reading is lower than that, it’s recommended that you take your car battery for a professional checkup. The purpose of testing battery performance is to determine whether or not the battery has been drained and needs to be replaced.
Reduce Energy Consumption
Another essential tip is to minimize energy consumption. You can do this by turning off the electronic accessories in the car, including the infotainment system, air conditioner, and headlights, when they are not needed. Don’t leave any of the electric components unnecessarily on, especially if the engine is turned off, to prevent battery drainage. Moreover, make it a habit to double-check that everything is turned off when you get out of the car.
Prevent Excessive Heat Exposure
The summer season takes a toll on battery life. The intense heat of the UAE slowly evaporates the acid levels and damages the battery. To protect your car battery from direct sunlight, it is advised to park your car under shade in the intense heat. You can also shield the battery of your car to protect it from wearing out in hot weather. Additionally, the acid levels should be checked every six months to ensure better performance.
Keep Your Battery Charged
To keep your car battery charged, you are advised to limit frequent short trips. Shorter trips do not allow the battery to charge fully and lead to a shortened lifespan. Conversely, consider buying a battery charger to charge your battery while parked. However, make sure not to overcharge the battery, as it is also unhealthy for a battery’s lifespan.
Keep Your battery Intact
A car battery should be tightly intact to prevent vibrations that can cause short circuits. Make sure to use proper battery clamps to fasten the battery firmly. This prevents the battery from vibrating and causing damage to the internal components, leading to shortened battery life. Also, be sure to position the battery terminals within the mounting brackets.
Conclusion
Following the essential tips ensures the longevity of your car battery. Usually, the car battery warranty lasts for three to five years. If your car battery is older than that, it’s recommended that you replace it to avoid sudden breakdowns. However, if the battery has started causing problems within two years, it’s possible that you haven’t taken proper care of it. If the battery is damaged or causing issues even after following the maintenance tips mentioned above, it’s best to take your vehicle for a professional checkup. Moreover, it’s essential to take your car to a mechanic for routine checkups every once in a while. Proper maintenance practices not only ensure a vehicle’s performance but also extend the life of a battery, saving you a lot of money.
