Car batteries are key to its proper functioning but we do not pay attention to it until we are stranded!

How to maintain car batteries?

Car batteries require little preventive maintenance to reach their useful life and even a little longer, and avoid bad times when starting your vehicle. Being clear that the battery is key to starting the engine, you must maintain it well, so that your car is always ready to start.

The battery has a life time established by the manufacturer based on the charge and discharge cycles, but if you carry out very simple periodic maintenance and follow the following tips to extend the useful life of the battery.

Check the electrolyte level of the car battery every 2 months. If the battery is not sealed you should check the fluid level frequently. The acid or electrolyte level of your battery must be adequate.

Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush every 6 months. Remove the battery terminal connectors by wiggling from side to side, and gently pulling up. Rub the wire brush into a paste made from baking soda mixed with distilled water. Gently rub the terminal to achieve a shine and remove any dried acid buildup. Reconnect the connectors to each of the battery terminals, making sure they fit snugly.

Check car battery voltage. Every time you take your car to the mechanic shop for an oil change is a good time to check your car's electrical system. Checking ensures that the battery is charging normally and there are no faults that affect its useful life. A fully charged battery should have a charge of 12.5 to 12.6 volts. If you want to check the battery yourself, there are many cheap and easy-to-use load testers on the market.

How to prevent your car battery from discharging?

Many people wonder how they can prevent the car battery from discharging and the answer is simply by taking some care with its use, preventive maintenance and avoiding the environmental conditions where we have car batteries.

Avoid extreme temperatures
Turn on the lights, air conditioning or listen to music with the engine off.
The car parked for a long time and with the battery connected.

What are the most common car battery problems?

The battery is the soul of your car and as the owner of your vehicle you must be aware of its maintenance and also know what are the main failures that it can present. The most commons are: