Summer heat can make your battery work harder. It can also cause it to corrode. You can help extend the life of your battery by regularly inspecting and cleaning the terminal clamps and connections. Look for chalky white corrosion and clean them with a mixture of baking soda and water.
Inspect the Battery Case
The battery is the primary source of electricity to start your car and power the electrical devices that run while it’s stopped. Factory and aftermarket accessories that run constantly even when the engine is off can draw small amounts of power from the battery and cause it to lose its charge over time.
It’s important to visually inspect the condition of your battery and its case, especially if it’s older than three years. Look for cracks or damages to the case that could result in leakage of battery acid.
You should also regularly clean the battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Use a baking soda and water solution to scrub away scale or rust on the battery posts, then rinse off the terminals. Lastly, check the hold-down clamp to ensure it’s secure. Click on Car Battery Maintenance for more info.
Clean the Battery Terminals
Corrosion on the battery terminals can cause resistance and prevent electricity from flowing freely. This can lead to a reduced charge or even a dead battery. Clean the battery terminals regularly to avoid this issue. You can use a chemical cleaner, such as one found at most auto parts stores, or you can follow the directions in this tutorial to make a safe and greener cleaning solution with baking soda and water.
Always wear eye protection and gloves when working with chemicals. The sulfuric acid in car batteries can cause burns if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes. Additionally, if it gets on your tools or the metal parts in your engine bay, it could speed up corrosion and potentially damage them.
Begin by disconnecting the negative cable, which is usually labeled with a red or black negative sign and a ring around it. Use a wrench or special battery pliers to loosen the nut and remove it. Then, using a rag dampened with your baking soda and water mixture, clean the terminals. After the terminals are cleaned, dab a little petroleum jelly or battery grease on each to help lubricate them and prevent future corrosion.
Turn Off Electronics
Many drivers do not realize how much work their car batteries perform. They are responsible for starting the engine and powering systems like the radio, air conditioning, and charging devices. When the battery isn’t functioning at its best, it can cause these other systems to fail.
In order to extend the life of a battery, regularly inspecting and cleaning its terminals is essential. Corrosion on the terminals can hinder the flow of electricity and lower the performance of your battery. This is a simple task that can be done with materials you already have on hand. Simply clean the terminals using a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and water and scrub with a hard-bristled brush.
Other battery maintenance tasks include turning off the electronics when the car is not in use and ensuring that the battery is properly secured to its mounting bracket or tray. Leaving electronics on for extended periods of time will drain the battery quickly. Keeping a battery charged is also crucial for extending its lifespan. This can be accomplished by taking frequent short drives or using a trickle charger.
Store the Battery Properly
A battery is a powerful and dangerous component. Whether you use an AGM sealed lead-acid battery or a traditional flooded one, storing it properly is crucial to maximizing its longevity.
Store batteries in a cool, dry location that’s not exposed to extreme heat or humidity. This slows down aging and prevents sulfation, which shortens a battery’s lifespan.
When removing your battery for storage, make sure you’re wearing protective gloves, and be careful to not touch the positive and negative terminals at the same time. To avoid sparks and electrical discharge, disconnect the negative terminal (the black cable) first, then remove the positive terminal. Before placing the battery back into its tray, clean off any corrosion with a wire brush or baking soda solution and fasten the clamps securely to prevent movement. This also reduces the risk of a loose connection causing internal damage.