14 Mar Spring Car Battery Maintenance & Inspection
Spring is a great time to perform routine car battery maintenance. After all, your vehicle worked hard all winter, often in freezing temperatures. A battery inspection will determine if your car battery is rechargeable or requires replacement. In addition, a vehicle battery service can clean the battery terminals and cables of rust & corrosion, improving the battery’s performance and lifespan. Finally, you can check and refill the electrolyte level inside the battery with distilled water if necessary.
Average Car Battery Life
Generally, car battery life can be up to 5 years with proper care and maintenance. As their charge gets low, car batteries lose the ability to provide enough electrical energy to start the engine. Several factors may impact battery life and performance. Improper maintenance, extreme weather, and frequent short trips can all contribute to a shorter car battery life. Here are a few simple ways to prolong the life of your car battery:
- Drive for 20 minutes (or more) without turning off the engine at least once a week.
- Turn off and unplug electronic devices (including phone chargers) before turning off the engine.
- Double-check that the headlights and interior cabin lights are off before exiting the car.
- Test your car battery every six months and recharge if the voltage is less than 12.6 volts.
Car Battery Maintenance
Body – Supporting Idea
Auto Battery Terminals
Auto battery terminals are the lead posts commonly located on the top of a typical 12-volt battery case in your car’s engine compartment. A few auto manufacturers use batteries with terminals located on the side of the battery case. These posts can accumulate scale and rust, which are both forms of corrosion. Excess corrosion can cause battery performance issues and requires regular cleaning.
- Apply a simple baking soda and water solution to the terminals and lightly scrub with a non-metallic brush.
- To remove all the corrosion, repeat this cleaning process as often as necessary.
- Finally, thoroughly rinse the posts with cool water.
Battery Cables
Battery cables attach to the battery terminals and transfer the stored electric energy to start the engine and power various electric devices within the car. The cables are securely attached to the terminals.
- Clean any corrosion on the cable connectors as outlined above.
Battery Ground Strap
The battery ground strap connects the negative battery terminal to the vehicle’s chassis. It provides a grounding connection from the engine to the car’s body, dispersing a short-circuit or power surge and preventing possible engine damage.
Electrolyte Level
A wet-cell car battery has six cells within the outer shell, which are composed of lead plates filled with an electrolyte solution of distilled water and sulfuric acid. Therefore, when the electrolyte level becomes low, it can be monitored and serviced in many batteries. If the electrolyte solution becomes too low, the battery cannot hold a sufficient charge to operate.
Note: There is no way to add more distilled water to ‘no maintenance’ batteries when the electrolyte levels get low. In this case, closely monitor your battery and recharge it when it falls below 12.6 volts.
Vehicle Battery Service in Plymouth Meeting, PA
Car battery maintenance is necessary wherever you live. Let Plymouth Auto & Tire Center’s certified technicians perform a vehicle battery service to ascertain the condition of your car battery this spring.
Schedule Your Car Battery Maintenance
Whether it’s a Honda, Toyota, or Ford, you can count on Plymouth Auto for an honest inspection and quality repairs. Visit us online or call (610) 825-6558 to schedule your battery inspection today!