That dismal feeling that sets in when you’ve realised your car battery has gone kaput isn’t one that is recalled fondly!
If you haven’t had the misfortune of this happening to you (yet!), now’s your chance to turn the tide on one of those fails that seems to catch every driver out at least once in their driving career.
So, here’s our take on the best ways to keep your car battery operating as best it can, so you can get the most mileage out of it.
Car batteries don’t love the heat!
If possible, keep your car from direct sunlight, within the bounds of reality. Most people think freezing temperatures are the bane of a car battery’s life, but in reality it’s quite the opposite.
Overheating a battery quickly drains it. The high temperature causes the battery to drain its electrolyte, which reduces the battery’s capacity to hold a charge.
So, if you can, look out for shady parking spots wherever possible, especially if you’re in a remote, exposed area and are relying on your car to head back to the city!
Keep that battery charged up
Some vehicles, when parked for long periods of time, can become depleted of all battery charge. Not good! The trick to avoiding this conundrum and ensuring your battery retains power is to head out for a little joyride at least once a week, if you’re not using it regularly.
If you do find you’re unable to keep this up, you can purchase a relatively cheap trickle charger to keep your battery charged – a great insurance policy if you have a car but aren’t driving regularly.
Top up your electrolyte fluid regularly
If you have a car battery that can be serviced, it will have a cap that can be removed and electrolyte fluid added. We recommend checking your electrolyte level every 3 months if this is the case, giving your battery the chance to last longer. You can get help with this from a mechanic, just tap into the My Auto Shop service area and we’ll help you get started.
Keep your car battery clean
Sometimes faulty connection can prevent your alternator from getting a decent charge, and that can also be the case with battery cable and terminals. Once rust/corrosion enters the game, you’ll find you’re not charging at full power.
It’s easy to clean your battery terminals though, just use a bit of water and baking soda and it comes off pretty easily. Just make sure you’re not wearing a t-shirt you care about, as it can require a bit of scrub n’ splash.
Leaving the lights on will drain your car battery
Seems obvious, but take note of this one! It’s super common for a car battery to drain out when driver’s innocently leave their headlights on for extended periods of time, and it’s never a point of pride when this is the case! Try to make it a regular habit to check if you’ve turned your headlights off. A quick turn of the head when you’re heading away from your car can avoid numerous turns of the head from other people on the way back!
If you’re reading this, and your car battery has gone flat, don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Head over to the My Auto Shop service area and we’ll help you find the battery to suit your make, model and budget. Nice!