Essentials For Car Owners To Know About Car Batteries

A car battery plays a crucial role in a vehicle by supplying on-demand current. The current is needed to power lights and wipers, start the engine, and more. A car battery, when used properly, can last for years without requiring replacement. Here are some essentials for car owners to know about car batteries.

Car Battery Life -- The life of a car battery is usually fixed. However, through proper maintenance and use, you can stop a battery from dying early. The average lifespan of a car battery is 3 to 5 years when connected to stable and dependable chargers.

How to Know When a Battery Is Due for Change -- Paying attention to a car battery can help a car owner determine when the battery needs replacement. It is advisable to have your battery checked every time you take your car for regular servicing. Stains, corrosion, and leaks can be tell-tale signs that a battery's life is coming to an end. A common sign that your battery is due for replacement is a sudden loss of power, even after prolonged charging hours. You can use a voltmeter or multimeter to check the health of a battery. However, before a battery suddenly goes flat, you will notice some common signs. For example, flickering lights and unpredictable behaviour of electronic components are some of the things to look out for. Besides, when starting a car, a sluggish cranking of the engine can be a pointer to a dead battery. Most maintenance-free batteries have indicators that show when the battery is dead and due for replacement.

Regular Inspection -- When you connect a new battery in your car, you need to check it regularly, at least once a month, to ensure that it performs optimally. When you skip on such inspections, battery terminals can start to corrode. Routine maintenance, such as cleaning the terminals, can increase the service life of a car battery. Use anti-seize lubricants to prevent corrosion at the terminals.

Battery Size and Capacity -- The size of a battery denotes its length, height, and width. Consult your car manual or mechanic to know the exact battery size you need. Ideally, a battery should fit in a tray to prevent damage or spillage of battery fluid. Another consideration is the capacity or power rating of a battery. If you are using maximum power for lights, audio-visual systems, and other electronic equipment, then you need a battery with maximum capacity to prevent frequent discharging. Consult a mechanic to assess your car's power needs before buying a new car battery.