Battery is one of the most important parts of a vehicle. Similar to other components, car batteries also require timely maintenance to function and extend their life. A battery provides the zap to keep your car moving to charge your handheld devices on-the-go. Therefore, timely car battery maintenance is vital and an eye on when it needs to be replaced.
Today, we are going to learn how to make a car battery last longer by taking proactive measures.
TIPS FOR CAR BATTERY MAINTENANCE
There are several factors that affect the performance and lifespan of a car battery: for instance, adverse weather conditions, no frequent charging, rough roads and the usage of vehicle (commercial or domestic). But, there are different steps you can take to keep its performance consistent.
Read here to know some of the essential steps on how to maintain car battery:
CLEAN THE CAR BATTERY REGULARLY
First and foremost step for car battery maintenance is to clean your vehicle’s battery at least once or twice in a month. Make sure that there is no grime, dirt or dampness as it may lead to leakage and in some cases may result in short circuit. Use a sponge or a dry cloth to remove the surface-level grime.
TEST CAR BATTERY VOLTAGE TO ENSURE ITS PERFORMANCE
By regularly checking car battery performance can save you from any inconvenience due to battery failing all of a sudden, while driving. One of the essential car battery maintenance steps also involves timely battery tests. It can be done with the help of a professional technician or you can do it on your own using a digital voltmeter. You can also check if the vehicle battery is drained or not with its help. It is recommended to perform a battery test after turning off the ignition for at least 12 hours, in order to get accurate results.
KEEP ALL THE ELECTRONICS DEVICES OFF WHEN IDLING
To prevent your car battery from draining off, make sure to turn off the infotainment system as well as car air-conditioner, when the vehicle is idling. When the engine is turned off, the alternator also shuts down and if all the mentioned devices and components are kept on, the car battery is likely to drain off.
Therefore, everytime you get out of the car, make a habit to check that everything is turned off. Also, in modern cars if you leave them unlocked, the computer system keeps running. This also contributes in your car battery drainage. Hence, it is important to lock your car not only for security reasons but also to keep up your car’s battery life and efficiency.
TURN OFF ALL LIGHTS WHEN ENGINE IS NOT IN USE
Make sure to turn off headlights, backlights and cabin lights when exiting the vehicle. If any of the lights remain on, the car’s battery may drain off.
PARK YOUR CAR IN SHADE
To keep the car’s battery performance under control, make a practice to park your car in shade, especially in summers. Extreme hot weather can slowly evaporate the battery acid. If the battery has low acid level, then it may not charge completely and prevent it from performing at full capacity. Moreover, low acid levels can cause corrosion on cables. Besides, if you are living in a villa in Dubai, you can opt to install car parking shades outside your home. However, car parking shades can be installed across all the Emirates of the UAE.
CHECK ACID LEVEL
For car battery maintenance, keeping a check on the battery acid level is important. Therefore, check the acid level every six months.
KEEP CAR BATTERY TIGHTLY INTACT
A car battery should be kept securely fastened, else it will vibrate and may lead to short circuit. Keep a check on the battery terminals to ensure they are positioned within the mounting bracket.
CLEAN CORRODED BATTERY TERMINALS
Cleaning corroded car battery terminals is also important, as corrosion on the terminals and lead clamps can affect the electricity flow. Therefore, to keep up the car battery’s performance and extend its life, you should clean around the terminals as well. Usually terminals corrode over time and there are different car battery corrosion causes. However, you need to assure that grime or dirt build-up is cleaned. You can also get it cleaned through a car battery maintenance service provider or ask the technician to clean it when you take your vehicle for routine maintenance.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR CAR UN-DRIVEN FOR LONG DURATION
A car’s battery is likely to drain completely, if the vehicle is parked for a long time. At least take short trips or drive for about 30 minutes once a week or once after three days to keep the engine running and fluids circulate well internally.
Make sure the battery is completely charged and electrolyte levels are up to the standard. You can check the electrolyte levels if the battery has removable caps. However, you can always take your car to the service centre for further assistance. If the battery is completely drained and cannot be charged, you might need to replace it. The car battery replacement cost in the UAE may vary depending on the service centre service charges.
HOW LONG CAN A CAR BATTERY LAST?
Some car models’ batteries may last four to five years, while many other car models’ batteries need to be replaced after two years. Generally, you have to be prepared that within three to four years, you should get a new battery for your car. One of the factors that affect a car’s battery life is extreme hot weather. If you don’t follow the precautions during summers, then it is likely that your car battery will drain. An average battery life is short of vehicles driven in places experiencing warm climates. Hot weather can evaporate the car battery’s fluid and damage the internal structure. Thus, when you want to know how long can a car battery last, consider the climate of your region.
Besides, following proper car battery maintenance routine can extend its life and keep up its performance.
HOW LONG DOES A CAR BATTERY LAST WITHOUT DRIVING?
A new car battery in good condition can last for about two weeks without driving. If the car is not driven for more than two weeks, then you will need to head to an automobile service centre for assistance.
Here we conclude some essential tips on how to maintain a car battery. It is recommended to take care of your car by taking it for routine tune ups. Following a complete car maintenance checklist religiously can also help in keeping your battery’s performance up. A battery is just one component of a well-running car, so make sure to properly maintain all parts of your car.
Besides, if you replace your car’s battery frequently and the condition of your car requires regular servicing, repairs and component replacement, then it’s time to replace the vehicle. You can browse these used cars for sale in the UAE and find the most optimum vehicle that fits your budget as well.
Stay tuned to the top auto blog of the UAE for other vehicle parts’ repair and maintenance guides, new car launches and a lot more.
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