Cars are the most efficient locomotive machines for human beings. They are also one of the most common means of transport used today. Most of the time you sit behind your car wheel, you feel like you are the one who does the most crucial part of the driving. However, it is the battery that plays the most vital role in the ignition of the car and the supply of electric current. It’s therefore important to take good care of the car battery. Taking care of the car is very obvious to all car owners, but most people only wash their cars, ensure that the wheels are sparkling clean but forget about the car battery. The battery is like the heart of the vehicle since it’s the one that enable the car to start and the lights to function, the battery therefore needs extra attention.
Here are some tips on how to take care of your car battery;
Regular cleaning of the battery terminals
This should be done after 5 months in order to remove traces of dried acid. Before you start with the cleaning process, you should first disconnect the cables attached to the terminals. After disconnecting the circuit, you then use distilled water and baking soda to clean the terminals. A wire brush is the most efficient tool in the cleaning process since it effectively removes the dry acid residue. To make it easier, you should remove the battery from your car. This will give you enough work space for the cleaning work. After cleaning the terminals you can fix back the battery and make sure the cables are connected back to the terminals.
Check if the electrolyte is at the right level
The electrolyte is the liquid in the battery and it allows the electric current to pass through it for the completion of the circuit. Checking up the level of electrolyte should be done after every 3 months. The level should always touch the bottom of the refill hole and if it’s below that, you should add distilled water. This prevents the battery’s plate from drying up.
Constantly check the voltage of the battery
The battery automatically charges itself when the car is driven. You should therefore make sure that you frequently drive your car for a reasonable short distance to get it charged. But driving it doesn’t mean that you should assume that your battery has enough charge. You should always check the voltage level of your car battery. The required voltage level should be around 12.5 volts. If your battery has a lower voltage level, you should charge it using the required battery charger. The battery should however not be overcharged to enable it to serve your car longer.
Always apply grease on the terminals of your car battery
This is the most reliable way of preventing your battery terminals from possible corrosion and rusting. The application of grease should also be done on the cables attached to the terminals.
Regular check-up of the battery insulator
Most modern cars have a battery insulator that prevents the battery fluid from drying up. The insulator protects the car battery from extreme high temperature that might finally make the fluid to dry up. You should therefore ensure that the insulators are not worn out or damaged.
Take your car to the mechanic for regular check-up
Just like any other machine, your car needs to be examined by a specialist. Your mechanic will perform a thorough inspection and will always advise you on how to take care of your car.
