If you own a car, one of the most essential items for your vehicle is a set of jumper cables. Accidentally leaving your car lights on or having a loose connection can drain your battery and leave you stranded. To prevent problems with your vehicle’s battery, here are some tips to help maintain it.
Check for Loose Connections
You should lift the bonnet of your vehicle periodically to check the cables connected to the battery. If they are loose, use a spanner to tighten them so they don’t move. Don’t overtighten them, as that can damage the battery terminals and lead to other problems in the future.
Clean Battery Terminals
Check the terminals on the battery for corrosion about every three months. Corroded terminals will not allow for a good connection and it can drain your battery. Purchase a cleaning tool for the terminals and remove any deposits on them, and clean the cable connector as well.
Check Fluid Levels
Although many new batteries are sealed, others will still allow you to check the fluid levels in your battery. When the battery is cold, carefully lift the cell plate lids to check the levels, and use distilled water to fill the cells if the fluid is below the cell plates. Be careful not to overfill the cells because the water can corrode the battery and lead to other problems.
Check for Leaks
When you’re checking the battery for corrosion, also check it for fluid leaks. If there is leakage, look for cracks on the sides or bottom of the battery. If the battery is damaged, you will need to replace it by going to County Battery supply car and van batteries.
Properly Dispose of Battery
If you do replace your battery, you need to properly dispose of the old one. Some battery stores will accept the old battery and give you a discount toward the purchase of a new one, and will then properly dispose of it. You can also drop off your old battery at a recycling centre that accepts items like batteries and electronics to keep them out of landfills.
Drive the Vehicle
If you have an extra vehicle or a motorcycle, you should make sure to drive it regularly to maintain the battery’s charge. Leaving a vehicle parked will drain the battery, and you will have to jump or charge the battery to get it to start when you wish to use the vehicle. Also, turn off car accessories when you are not using them to prevent battery drainage.
Park Car in Garage
During cold weather, park your car in the garage, because low temperatures can drain the battery. Even if the garage isn’t heated, it will be better than leaving your car totally exposed to the elements. If the weather gets bitterly cold in the winter, consider buying an electric battery warmer and plug it in at night to keep your battery warm.
These tips can help you prolong the life of new batteries and prevent many battery problems.
