That dismal feeling that sets in when you\u2019ve realised your car battery has gone kaput isn\u2019t one that is recalled fondly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you haven\u2019t had the misfortune of this happening to you (yet!), now\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Car batteries don\u2019t love the heat!<\/strong> Overheating a battery quickly drains it. The high temperature causes the battery to drain its electrolyte, which reduces the battery\u2019s capacity to hold a charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you can, look out for shady parking spots wherever possible, especially if you\u2019re in a remote, exposed area and are relying on your car to head back to the city! If you do find you\u2019re unable to keep this up, you can purchase a relatively cheap trickle charger<\/a> to keep your battery charged – a great insurance policy if you have a car but aren\u2019t driving regularly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Top up your electrolyte fluid regularly<\/strong> Keep your car battery clean<\/strong> Leaving the lights on will drain your car battery<\/strong>
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\u2019s life, but in reality it\u2019s quite the opposite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep that battery charged up
<\/strong>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\u2019re not using it regularly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a> and we\u2019ll help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019ll find you\u2019re not charging at full power.
It\u2019s 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\u2019re not wearing a t-shirt you care about, as it can require a bit of scrub n\u2019 splash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seems obvious, but take note of this one! It\u2019s super common for a car battery to drain out when driver\u2019s innocently leave their headlights on for extended periods of time, and it\u2019s never a point of pride when this is the case! Try to make it a regular habit to check if you\u2019ve turned your headlights off. A quick turn of the head when you\u2019re heading away from your car can avoid numerous turns of the head from other people on the way back!
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