How to Check and Maintain Your Used Car's Battery

A car battery is a crucial part of a vehicle and needs regular maintenance to ensure peak performance. The battery provides the initial energy to start the engine and powers several electrical components when the car is off. Well-maintained batteries prevent unexpected breakdowns and increase the vehicle's service life. This article discusses how to check your car battery and tips to maintain its health.

Why is Car Battery Maintenance Important?

As earlier stated, the car battery connects several parts of the vehicle, including the lighting, infotainment system, and ignition. If the battery fails, you will not be able to start the car, and this can be a problem, especially if you want to be somewhere urgent. You can contact an expert near you or check the battery to improve its longevity.

How to Check Your Car Battery

If you fancy yourself a DIY mechanic, you can test the car battery from the comfort of your home by purchasing a multimeter. Set the values to between 15-20 volts or an equivalent range, depending on the type of multimeter. Attach the terminals to the battery and check the voltage values. The user manual gives you the recommended voltage, but in most cases, it is 12.6V.

As your battery ages, it loses its ability to hold the required charge. You can quickly identify such batteries through identifiable issues like a lazy engine when starting the car, flickering lights, and fault starts. Consider testing and replacing the battery when you start having such problems.

Maintaining Your Car Batter

To prevent the issues caused by a faulty battery, there are a few things Canadian drivers can do to increase its life span. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

 

• Regularly Clean the Terminals - Cleaning the terminals improves the connection, allowing more power to flow without straining the battery. Start by turning off the car, detaching the connectors, and scrubbing the dirt off the terminals using a wire brush.

• Check the Fluid Levels - Fluids inside the battery allow the transfer of electricity from one plate to the next. You can check and top the levels during an oil change by unscrewing the vent caps on top of the battery.

• Turn Off Appliances When Not in Use - To maintain the vehicle's charge, ensure you turn off all appliances inside the car. This includes power outlets and any other charging port. Keeping the interior and exterior lights off when not in use is also vital.

 

• Drive the Car Regularly - Apart from peripherals, your battery will also lose charge if it is left for a long time without use. So, even if you are not using your car, drive it occasionally to keep everything in good condition.

Get Your Car Battery Checked at Lincoln Township Motors in Beamsville, ON!

Maintaining your car’s battery will reduce the chances of a breakdown and ensure the best performance possible. Contact Lincoln Township Motors in Beamsville, ON, to learn about maintenance, trading used cars, and financing a used vehicle.