Car battery maintenance: Why it’s important for your vehicle’s performance
Your car battery is a vehicle component that you may be taking for granted. Every morning, you start your car and leave for work. But we often forget that all the starting power comes from the battery, and if the battery is weak, the Car isn’t going anywhere. That’s why in this post we’ll talk about the importance of car battery maintenance and share with you some of MotorServ UK’s top tips on how to get the most out of it.
What is the role of a battery in a car?
Simply put, your car battery is responsible for starting the engine and powering all of your vehicle’s electrical components. Therefore, proper car battery maintenance ensures the smooth and efficient operation of your vehicle.
Read on to find out more about the functions of your car battery and the importance of car battery maintenance:
Starting Power
The primary function of a car battery is to provide the necessary power to start the engine. If your battery is weak or dead, it’ll be challenging to start your car, especially during the colder months.
Regular car battery maintenance, such as checking the voltage and cleaning the terminals, will ensure that your battery has enough starting power when you need it.
Electrical Components
In addition to starting the engine, the car battery also powers all of the electrical components in your vehicle. This includes your headlights, radio, power windows, and other essential features. Thus, a weak or dead battery can cause these components to malfunction or stop working altogether.
Longevity
Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your car battery. In contrast, neglecting your battery can cause it to die prematurely, leaving you stranded at the worst possible moment.
On average, regardless of the warranty, a traditional car battery has a reliable and trouble-free service life of about three years or 36 months. But a well-maintained car battery can last up to five years.
MotorServ-UK’s top tips for car battery maintenance
Check your battery regularly.
One of the simplest ways to maintain your car battery is to check it regularly. Inspect the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion or damage.
You can experience poor battery performance due to corroded or worn-out battery terminals. Corrosion causes resistance and poor electrical connections, which can lead to starting problems.
If you notice any corrosion, it’s important to clean the terminals with a brush, use some battery terminal spray, and coat them to prevent future damage.
Keep the battery charged
Car batteries can lose charge over time, especially if your vehicle is not driven regularly. When you start your car, your alternator kicks in and recharges the battery that runs the engine. Thus, your car battery is meant to be used often.
Try to drive your vehicle as much as possible to extend the life of the battery. If you plan to leave the car parked for a prolonged period of time, it’s advisable to disconnect the battery to prevent it from deteriorating or to fit a trickle charger to maintain the battery charge while the car is left standing.
Check the battery fluid level
It’s important to check the fluid level regularly and ensure that the battery fluid is topped up. A low fluid level can cause the battery to overheat and fail prematurely.
Make sure your alternator is healthy
A defective alternator can emit alternating electricity of too high a voltage, which can destroy the battery. Therefore, you should check the alternator from time to time to make sure it’s working properly or replace it before it’s too late.
Visit a trustworthy car service centre
Periodically, have your battery checked and serviced by a mechanic with all the necessary professional equipment. Leave it to the experts to replace your car battery and carry out all the complicated maintenance procedures. This way, you can be sure that your new battery will be compatible with your vehicle model. So these are all of our recommendations and tips to extend the life of your car battery. We hope that now you understand the importance of periodic car maintenance.
Don’t know where to go for quality car battery maintenance?
If you are looking for a premium auto service centre, MotorServ UK is the answer. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our services. Give us a call today!
