- Batteries-Tips/Guides
If your car is not starting then your first instinct is to look at the battery. Unfortunately, many things can cause your battery to give up on you and some are entirely out of your control.
These are the most common car battery issues:
- A build-up of shed plate material below the plates.
- Sulfation after a long period of disuse in a low or no-charge state.
- Corrosion on the positive or negative terminals.
- Damaged internal connections due to corrosion.
- Failure of the separator between the positive and negative plates, causing a short-circuited cell.
- Damaged plates due to corrosion and vibration from driving.
- Low electrolyte (fluid) levels.
- Damaged battery case.
7 Car battery maintenance tips
The good news is there are a couple of things you can do to keep that battery going for as long as possible:
- Check the car battery tray and the terminals for corrosion at least once a month and clean them if necessary.
- Do not use your car’s radio, lights or electronics without turning the car on.
- Ensure your car battery is properly secure and the cables are in good condition.
- Protect your car battery from extreme temperatures.
- Use your car regularly. If your car has to stand for prolonged periods, we suggest using a modern smart charger to maintain a good state of charge in the battery.
- Check the water level of your car battery regularly. and
- Do not overcharge your car battery.
If you are following all of these easy rules, you should get a good long run from your battery. However, if you are doing all of this only to find your battery dying early, then it may be an issue to do with your car’s alternator.
If you want to find out more information about your battery, read 6 steps to cleaning a car battery with baking soda and water.
To buy a new battery for your car, visit your nearest Supa Quick battery fitment centre.
