Caring For Your Car Battery
Your car battery is one of the most essential components of your vehicle. It is responsible for powering the electrical system, starting the engine, as well as keeping your car running smoothly.
Neglecting your battery can lead to a whole host of issues, from reduced quality performance to complete failure, which can be both expensive and time-consuming to fix. By taking care of your car battery, you can help to ensure that your vehicle stays in optimum condition alongside avoiding costly breakdowns.
Our Top Tips for Looking After Your Car’s Battery:
Here at Central Audi & VW, we can help with vehicle repairs and maintenance services. Despite this, we have put together our best tips so you can look after your car’s battery and help reduce your car’s care costs.
Keep Your Car Battery Clean
Your battery needs to be kept clean to prevent corrosion, which can cause poor connections and reduce your performance quality. Battery terminals can accumulate dirt and debris over time. This can be especially true if you keep your car under trees, which shed pollen, twigs, and leaves. The accumulation of dirt and debris can affect the electrical flow and cause your battery to drain faster.
It’s important to regularly check the terminals and clean them if necessary. Central Audi VW offers battery cleaning and maintenance services as part of their vehicle repairs and maintenance services.
Check Your Car Battery’s Water Level
If you have a conventional lead-acid battery, it’s important to regularly check the water levels within your car’s battery. The water level should be checked every 3-6 months and must be topped up with distilled water if it is too low.
Low water levels can cause damage to the battery plates and reduce the battery’s performance. We are also more than happy to check your battery’s water level and top it up as part of our vehicle maintenance.
Regularly Check Your Battery’s Charge
Your car battery needs to be charged regularly to ensure that it stays in the best possible condition. If you don’t use your car for an extended period, your battery can discharge and lose its charge. This then often leads to starting problems. It’s important to check your battery’s charge level regularly and recharge it whenever necessary. Here at Central Audi & VW, we can check your battery’s charge level as part of our regular vehicle maintenance services.
Limit How Many Short Trips You Take
Short trips can be hard on your battery because the alternator doesn’t have enough time to fully charge the battery. If you take a lot of short trips, it’s a good idea to take your car out for a longer drive every so often to give the battery a chance to fully charge.
Get Your Car Battery Tested
It’s important to get your battery tested regularly to ensure that it’s functioning properly. A battery that’s on the verge of failure can cause all sorts of problems, from reduced performance to a complete breakdown, which can be an incredibly expensive experience. Ensure you have regular maintenance to keep your battery’s health up to scratch.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures and Fluctuations
Extreme temperatures can be hard on your car battery. Especially when your car goes from one extreme temperature to the other extreme.
High temperatures can cause the fluid in your battery to evaporate. Whilst cold temperatures can reduce your battery’s cranking power. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, it’s important to take extra care of your battery. Central Audi VW can advise you on the best ways to protect your battery from extreme temperatures.
Keep Your Electrical System in Good Condition
Your car’s electrical system is all interconnected. A problem with one component can affect the performance of the entire system, including your battery. It’s important to keep your electrical system in good condition by checking the alternator, starter, and other components regularly.
Caring for a Petrol Car Battery Versus Diesel Car Battery
Looking after your car battery is essential no matter whether you have a petrol or diesel vehicle. It is important to be aware that caring for petrol car batteries and diesel car batteries requires different approaches.
Diesel car batteries require more maintenance and attention to ensure they remain fully charged and protected from excessive heat and vibration.
Petrol car batteries still require regular maintenance, but they are generally more forgiving when it comes to driving habits and battery size. Regardless of whether you have a petrol or diesel car, proper battery care is essential for ensuring a reliable and long-lasting vehicle.
Consider Central Audi & VW for Your Battery Care
Looking after your car battery is essential for keeping your vehicle running smoothly and avoiding costly breakdowns. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your battery stays in good condition.
If you need further support looking after your car battery, please contact our highly experienced team at Central Audi & VW. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and book your car in for a battery check.
