It's important to keep your battery
It's important to keep your battery
From the moment you get your car started, your car battery provides the zap your vehicle needs to keep rolling.
When you leave your car on the driveway, in the garage or only drive it short distances, the battery will slowly start to discharge, as the vehicle’s charging system isn’t getting the chance to keep your battery topped up.
Of course, a healthy battery stays out of mind, but an unhealthy one cause a lot of issues. However, putting in a small bit of effort now will save you lots of time and money in the long run. So, to make sure it stays alive and well, we’ve got a few tips on how to keep your car’s main power source ready to go when you need it.
If your headlights are blazing, the air con is always on, the music is blaring from your radio or your passengers are constantly playing with your electric windows, your battery will drain. Reducing the use of electrics ensures the alternator will be free to do what it does best – charging your battery.
When you turn off your engine, your car will go into sleep mode, so try not to open your boot or doors too much at this point, as this will activate the electrics in your vehicle and ‘wake up’ the battery.
Make sure you keep your battery clean and dry. Excessive moisture can cause creeping currents, which drain it. You can clean it easily using a wet toothbrush and baking soda, then wipe it thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. Be careful to make sure you don’t get water into any of the battery ports.
Most cars use complex electrical systems to keep them moving, and the last thing you need is to be confronted with a dashboard full of error messages or lost data. So, make sure all the connectors are in place.
Always look after your battery in line with manufacturer guidelines, and if there are any issues, you’ll need to get it checked in a workshop by trained technicians. If you think it’s time for your battery to be looked at, you can make an appointment at one of our service centres here.
