Few car problems present more frustration than the sudden death of a once smoothly humming battery. Avoid getting stranded with a dead starter by taking simple preventative steps keeping batteries charged and cared for over their lifespan. A few tools like trickle chargers also restore and maintain health between uses. Employ savvy maintenance habits to dodge untimely battery demise.
Frequent Full Charging
Shallow battery discharges followed by immediate recharges to full best mimic the ideal steady flow of electricity batteries thrive under. The experts at Clore Automotive recommend plugging in a 12 volt battery charger after short trips to prevent drains below half capacity over the long run.
Letting plates inside cells drop too low too often causes irreversible harm. Sulfur crystals start growing, preventing the plates accepting and releasing energy. So stick to frequent complete charging, especially if the car sits unused for multiple days routinely. Think twice before disconnecting the battery for storage as parasitic draws will still slowly drain cells. Hook up a smart maintainer instead.
Cleaning Care
Grime buildup across battery cases seems harmless but actually poses hidden dangers. A crusty coating allows electrical current to discharge from the battery constantly even with the car off. This parasitic draw drains power reserves over time. Use a mix of baking soda and water to scrub away corrosive grime then dry thoroughly before reconnecting cables.
In winter weather, be sure to clear snow, sleet and road salt from the battery top and terminals. This conductive mix can spark electrical shorts and corrosion. Pay special attention keeping vent caps clean and tight so gases can escape as designed.
Avoid Deep Discharges
Letting a battery drain down completely often inflicts irreparable cell damage, spelling the beginning of the end. The lower the charge drops inside the battery case; the more strain mounts internally. Prevent total emptying by recharging after a few days of non-use. When storing a car long-term, connect a smart battery tender. This continually monitors voltage levels and gives conditioning charges as needed to keep things healthy.
Watching for symptoms like dimming headlights is wise as this reveals the alternator no longer adequately recharges the battery while driving. Stopping to investigate warning signs avoids getting stranded by a fully dead cell. Recharge completely using a quality charger then test again.
Temperature Extremes
Battery failure chances surge during peak heat and sustained cold because of the sensitive chemical processes generating power. Internal resistance rises in extreme cold meaning batteries struggle to push enough power to start engines. Hot under-hood temperatures accelerate corrosion and evaporation of battery fluid.
If faced with extremely frigid winter weather, store the car in a garage to prevent chilling batteries overnight. Starting issues may still arise, but power should return once components warm above 40 degrees. Sustained summer heat demands checking fluid levels more often. Top up low cells with distilled water as needed. Also crack open windows and sunroofs minimizing cockpit temperatures when parked.
Maintenance Checks
Routinely checking battery health clues in owners to replacement needs before getting caught off guard far from home or help. Every few months or oil changes, inspect the outer case and terminals for heavy corrosion buildup. Use a battery load tester to confirm cells hold at least 85% charge capacity. And peek inside caps ensuring fluid levels hover at indicator ring tops. Top up low ones with distilled water.
Conclusion
A few simple maintenance habits reduce chances of abrupt car battery failure at inopportune times. Charge fully after frequent short trips and before storage. Clean terminals and cases periodically checking fluid levels. Show car batteries a little TLC and they will deliver years of reliable service.
