Car Articles

Read articles on cars and car industry. Get fully updated on all information related to cars. Read exciting happening in the Indian and Global Car industry, tips to help you and more...

Old Articles

Top 15 Tips for Car Battery...

Top 15 Tips for Car Battery Maintenance

Car battery is one of the most essential components of a car. It is a rechargeable battery that delivers electric power to various electronic car components. The key function of the battery is to start the car engine.

As the car battery plays an integral role in the operation and functioning of a car, so it is very important to take a good care of the battery. Periodic checks and seasonal maintenance of the car battery will help increase the battery life and prevent occurrence of various ignition issues. This in turn would help improve car performance.

Signs of Failing Car Battery

With a little knowledge and hands on car battery maintenance, it would be easy to identify early signs of low or failing car battery. Here are the most common but significant signals of low or failing battery:

Dim headlights when the car is idle
Starter turns slow
Problem in the ignition
Loose or cracked fan belt
Dim dash lights
Ineffective cooling in the car cabin
Short circuit in the electric wirings
Improper functioning of various electrical devices in the car.

Causes of Weak Car Battery

After identifying the symptoms of failing battery, it is also essential to know the actual causes of battery malfunction. Knowledge of the causes of car battery failure assists to take good care of it ensuring a prolonged and problem free life.

Here are some of the culprits of battery weakening or failure:

Rash driving habits are common culprits of battery malfunction
Excessive use of electrical power for various car electronics like car air-conditioner, music system, or car cabin lights
Leaving the cabin lights open through the night drain much of battery power
Using car air-conditioner when the car engine is idle
Sometimes, it may also because of factory defects.

Here are top 15 tips for car battery care and maintenance:

First and foremost, wipe off the dust from the battery using a clean cloth. A dirty battery surface may cause corrosion, so it should always be dust free and clean.
If in case you find any sign of corrosion on the battery surface use a solution of baking soda to remove it.
After that wet the battery case and use nylon bristle to clean the battery surface.
Inspect the car battery at periodic intervals for any kind of damage, fluid leaks, shell cracks, or any similar faults.

Always keep the car battery completely charged to ensure longer battery life. The best way to do so is to run the car at least once in a week. When the car is in use, the alternator generates electric current that is used to charge the battery.
If the car is in regular use, then do not worry about the battery charging.
Ensure that all the battery connections and cables are also well cleaned. If there are corrosion, get it cleaned by a professional.
Always keep the terminals and cables tight to ensure proper flow of electric current. Tightened terminals and cables also prevent the entry of toxins to the car battery which may otherwise damage the battery.
You can even use vaseline or petroleum jelly to lubricate the cables periodically. This helps to keep battery cables clean for longer.
Make wise use of all the electrical devices in the car. Switch off the car air conditioner and music system when not required. Unnecessarily leaving the car cabin lights on would also drain out battery life. All the electrical devices suck out power from the battery that cannot be recharged or regenerated.
Also, remove the cap and check the level of electrolyte in the battery. If the fluid level is low, add clean distilled water and make it fill to the neck of the fill hole. Distilled water is used because it lacks contaminants and also prevents the battery from the damaging effects of abrasive elements.
Ensure that the car battery is secured tightly to the mounting brackets. A running engine causes vibration that may shift the position of the battery and damage its housing or the plates.
Inspect the battery case for any kind of leakage and cracks. If any cracks or leakage is found in the case replace it immediately. A good and covered case is very essential for protecting the battery from harmful impacts of dirt, grease, and other external substances.
Most of the car batteries today are available with a maintenance free tag. All these have indicator lights on them which actually help to know the condition of the car battery. Green light shows that the battery is functioning properly, black light shows that the battery needs to be recharged, and yellow light shows that the car battery needs to be replaced.
While working with the car battery, be very careful because the battery comprises dangerous acid that may cause skin damage.