When the car starts, the music plays and the lights shine, each one of us forget about the car batteries that enable all these processes. These essential parts need to be taken care of well just like any other components of your vehicle. That way, the batteries stay trouble free and it improves their longevity. Here are some beneficial tips that will help you in keeping a check on the health of the batteries.
Check the Battery Water: The life of a battery heavily depends on its water content. Hot weather can dry up the battery and thus you need to refill water till the built-in indicator. A lower water content can damage the battery as their might be high concentration of sulphuric acid on plates. Similarly overfilling can cause the electrolyte to bubble up and escape.
Mend the Cable Clamps: Check if the cable clamps are corroded as this might cause a loss of power. Regularly clean the corrosions on the clamps and grease them with petroleum grease or Vaseline to lower corrosion. If the clamps fail to stay tight and on their place, the batteries will run out of power. Ask the servicemen to tighten the clamps, the ground connection, and the cable connections with the alternator, starter and power terminals.
Protect the Battery Case: The battery case has to be taken care of without allowing any grease or dirt from getting deposited on it which can lead to electricity leakage. Clean corrosion and use a thin cloth dipped in baking soda paste to wipe dirt accumulated on the case and the connections. Later rinse with clean water and coat with acid proof paint. In the process avoid paint on terminals, baking soda from getting into cells and the battery from rocking.
Avoid a Power Loss: If the battery is in a good condition and fully charged, its water level is as per requirement but still there is a loss of power then ask a servicemen to check the internal details. The reason of a choking start and dim lights can be some short in the electrical system, trouble in the alternator, slip in the alternator belt or an insufficient driving result in inadequate charge in the car battery.
