How to Maintain your Car Battery
Whether you’ve just invested in a brand-new car or you’re trying to keep car repair costs down with living costs rising, maintaining your car battery is a crucial aspect of car ownership. But if you’re no mechanic, knowing how to keep your car battery ticking along can be tricky.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to maintaining your car battery, read on for our top tips.
1. Get a regular battery check
The best way to make sure your battery is working as it should is by having a regular car battery check scheduled. During a free battery check, the mechanics will identify any underlying faults with the battery before anything becomes an issue.
So, you’re far less likely to end up stranded somewhere!
2. Check the acid level of your battery every six months
Another essential part of your car maintenance routine should be checking the acid level of your battery every six months.
If you can see signs of acid stratification, your car battery could be in danger, especially if you often go on short journeys with power-robbing accessories in use!
3. Clean your battery
Yes, we know. Another thing to clean! But it’s well worth taking the time to clean your car battery if you want to prolong its lifespan.
Over time, car batteries can be prone to a build-up of dirt. Although you won’t be eating dinner off your car battery, dirt can corrode the metal elements in your battery, causing long-term damage.
To clean your car battery create a cleaning solution using baking soda and water or purchase a car battery cleaning solution. Once you’ve got your detergent, simply use a wire brush to remove any corrosion.
Just be sure to wipe off any residue when you’re done.
4. Ensure you take regular trips
There’s no better excuse for a road trip than having to maintain your car battery! If you use your car regularly, then you are probably doing this. However, if you don’t tend to use your car much (whether that’s because you’re getting your 10,000 steps in or trying to save money amid rising petrol prices), you’ll need to make sure you don’t abandon it completely.
To keep your car working as it should it’s important to ensure you leave your car running for at least 15 minutes per week.
And there you have it! Although maintaining your car battery may not be on the top of your to-do list, it should be! Whilst it’s not an exciting job, by ensuring your car battery is in good health, you can prolong its lifespan, giving you peace of mind when you’re on the road.
