Installing New Wiring in Your Home

Installing New Wiring in Your Home

Three Essential Tips for Protecting Your Car Battery

by June Alvarez

Auto batteries have a relatively long lifespan, but these power units often fail prematurely. This accelerated degradation can be attributed to the lack of maintenance. In most cases, vehicle owners do not check the condition of their batteries until a malfunction occurs. Also, the poor driving practices upheld by most people contribute to the deterioration of the critical unit. If you have noticed the declining performance of your battery or have purchased a new product, you should consider using these simple tips to protect the unit and prolong its lifespan.

Reduce Your Short Distance Drives

You should limit your short car rides for the preservation of your battery. Typically, the battery is charged by the alternator in your vehicle when the automobile is in motion. If you take frequent short drives, your power unit will never be fully charged, and its lifespan will be compromised. You can ensure that your battery remains stable and functions for longer by using your vehicle frequently and taking longer drives. If this is not possible, you should think about buying a portable battery charger. This device can also help you jump start your car if the battery does fail in the future.

Secure the Battery in Place

You should make sure that you battery is correctly installed in your vehicle. In general, if the battery is not properly placed, it will keep sharing and vibrating during the drive. As a result, the internal components will sustain vibratory damage, and the unit could experience short circuits. It is advisable to take some time on a regular basis to ensure that the component is secure in the mounting bracket. You should note that the mounting problems can be, in some cases, attributed to wrong battery sizing. Therefore, you should check the manufacturer's specifications for the best results.

Minimise the Corrosion Deposits

The terminals on your auto battery will corrode over time. This form of degradation can be attributed to the interaction between the battery acid and the metal. If the corrosion builds up on these parts, the performance of the power unit will be compromised. Fortunately, you can control the degradation and minimise the effects by cleaning the terminals regularly. Ideally, you should scrub the terminals with an alkaline cleaning such as baking soda. This material will neutralise the acid and dislodge the corrosion deposits. Brush gently with a toothbrush, rinse the area and dry thoroughly with a suitable cloth.

Finally, you should shorten your periods of idling, and avoid using electronics when the engine is off to prolong the life of your car battery.


Share  

About Me

Installing New Wiring in Your Home

Hello! My name is Joanna and this is my electrical DIY and repair blog. I decided to start this new blog so I could help others to learn about easy DIY jobs they can complete around their homes. It is also important to understand when it is time to call in a professional electrical contractor. When I moved into an old property, I didn't have a clue about the electrical side of things. I was really worried because the lights would flicker and sometimes the sockets would feel warm. I called in an electrical contractor and he helped me to get the place repaired and gave me some fantastic advice.

Categories