How Professional Battery Checks Can Save You from Breakdowns

The battery is the most critical element for a car's seamless functioning. Car battery maintenance is of the utmost importance. However, it is often overlooked until you are stranded with a broken-down car. Regularly checking the battery and following car battery tips can improve battery life.

This blog discusses the signs of a dying battery, provides tips for battery maintenance, and explains how to check a car battery in the summer.

Signs of a Dying Car Battery

Car batteries need regular maintenance to improve their longevity. Before following battery tips, you must know the signs that your car battery is failing.

• Slow Engine Ignition : If your car struggles to start or takes longer than usual to start, your battery might be losing its charge.
• Dashboard Signal : Most modern vehicles have a dashboard indicator that indicates the car's battery life. If your dashboard indicator shows a failing battery, it is time for a car battery replacement.
• Electrical Malfunction : A low-charge battery can cause electrical issues, such as dimming headlights or taillights, slower power windows or reduced windshield wiper speed. If you notice any of these indicators, it is time to get the car battery inspected.
• Visual Inspection : Corroded battery terminals can adversely affect the battery's performance, making the engine struggle to start up. Extreme temperatures, especially during summer, can cause swollen batteries or acid leakage. These can impact the battery's performance and demand an urgent car battery replacement.

Car Battery Tips to Elevate its Performance

Regular maintenance is often ignored, leading to the replacement of a car battery. Here are a few car battery tips to improve its life and performance:

Drive the Car Regularly

The battery needs regular use to be healthy. A car that is not being used does not get a chance to charge. Moreover, frequent shorter trips also prevent the car from charging to its full capacity.

You must ensure that you regularly drive the car enough to let it recharge every time, especially in the colder months.

Check the Distilled Water Levels

If your car has an unsealed battery, check the level of the distilled water regularly. During hot weather, this water evaporates faster, damaging the battery.

It is always recommended to carry a bottle of distilled water to avoid any inconvenience caused by low distilled water levels in the battery.

Limit the Use of Electronics

The battery also powers a car's electronic accessories, including the car lights, music system and dashboard elements. If these accessories are used when the car is turned off, the battery is discharged.

To prevent the battery from draining, you must limit the use of these electronic accessories.

Keep the Battery Clean

Over time, dust accumulates on the battery terminals, corroding them. Corroded terminals can reduce the battery's efficiency, preventing it from charging to its fullest potential. Therefore, you must keep the batteries clean.

How to Check Car Battery in Summer?

Harsh temperatures can severely damage car batteries. Here are a few ways to check your car battery in summer.

• Due to the heat, the distilled water in the batteries may quickly evaporate. Thus, you must monitor the battery's distilled water levels.
• Ensure that the car is parked under a shade to protect the battery from higher temperatures.
• Make sure that the fan belt is sturdy and functioning properly so that the car battery charges well.

Conclusion

Car batteries must be maintained well. Checking them in summer is crucial with rising temperatures. Exposure to severe temperature fluctuations might force you to get a car battery replacement.

If you notice any signs of battery failure in your car, you can have it replaced or checked by a reliable service provider, such as AIS Windshield Experts, for custom solutions.