Your battery provides power to run all the electrical components of your car. You can extend its lifespan by performing some simple maintenance.
For example, you should clean the battery terminals regularly. They are prone to corrosion. Use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub them. After that, wipe the terminals clean and coat them with a terminal spray to minimize future corrosion.
Check the Battery’s Voltage
Car battery maintenance includes checking the voltage of the resting battery. If the battery reads less than 12.6 volts, it is likely time to replace it.
If you have a multimeter (which can be found at any automotive store) with a digital display, you can easily check the battery’s voltage. Just attach one lead to the positive terminal and the other to the negative terminal of the battery, set your multimeter to measure DC voltage (this is usually indicated with a solid line above a dashed line above a letter V), and it should give you an accurate reading.
If the initial reading is low, you should disconnect the battery and test it again with the vehicle off. This is a good way to check for ‘parasitic drain’, which occurs when the battery is drained even when the ignition is off. To prevent this, always make sure to turn off all accessories before walking away from the vehicle, and never let a car battery sit unused for long periods of time. Discover more at Car Battery Maintenance Tips.
Clean the Battery Terminals
Corrosion on the battery terminals can limit electricity flow between them, which can prevent your car from starting and even drain it. This corrosion is common and can be controlled with regular cleaning and a protective coating.
When you’re ready to clean your battery, make sure you’re safe by wearing gloves and a mask. Working around acid can cause skin and eye burns, so take extra care not to spill it.
First, remove the battery cables, removing them one at a time to keep from accidentally touching the positive and negative terminals together. It’s a good idea to put some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the ends of the cable ends before reattaching them to provide lubrication and prevent further corrosion. Next, use a mixture of water and baking soda to coat the battery terminals. This solution will neutralize the sulphuric acid and prevent it from damaging your car’s components or corroding your skin, eyes or tools.
Keep the Battery Tray Clean
If your battery tray is filled with oil, grease and other grime, it can cause a short circuit that will drain your battery. Clean it regularly using a wire brush, baking soda and water. After cleaning, make sure it’s dry and coated in petroleum jelly or a commercial protectant to prevent future corrosion.
Corroded terminals and lead clamps impede the flow of electricity, which will decrease your battery’s efficiency. Make sure to disconnect the battery cables before cleaning the terminals and battery case.
It’s also important to keep your car in the shade when parked, as sunlight can damage your battery. In addition, don’t leave electronics like your radio and lights on while the engine is off. Also, try to drive your car every three days to avoid the battery losing its charge completely. These simple steps can help you extend the life of your battery. You can even purchase a battery blanket for extra protection.
Replace the Battery
If you are having trouble starting your car or if you have to jump the battery frequently, it may be time for a new one. A new battery will provide a much better charge and longer lifespan than an old, low-charged one.
Remember to put on insulated work gloves and safety glasses before popping the hood to change your battery. Batteries contain a sulfuric acid electrolyte solution that can burn your skin and create flammable hydrogen gas.
Locate the positive and negative battery terminals, which will be marked with a red plastic cover or cable attached to it (positive) and black with a minus sign or black cable to it (negative). Using a wrench, loosen the bolt that holds the negative terminal clamp first, then remove it. Using a wire brush or cleaning paste, clean the terminals and the battery tray to prevent future corrosion. A good coat of battery terminal spray will also help minimize future problems.