Disclaimer

The content of this article presents general information that is not intended as professional automotive advice or service. Maintaining, testing and replacing car batteries require an electrical level that may be dangerous when handled carelessly. Never consider servicing your car battery at home unless you are a licensed professional. Repairing or checking your car should always be done by a skilled technician or at a verified auto repair business such as Berks Auto Repair to spare you and your car further harms.

Tips to Keep a Long and Healthy Life of Your Car Battery and Guaranteed Starts

Having a dead battery can put you in a glass house at the most unfortunate time and, most often, it is completely avoidable. When batteries are maintained properly, they will ensure reliable starts, smooth engines and avoidable breakdowns. When it comes to getting more life out of a car battery, we at Berks Auto Repair have assisted so many drivers in Reading, PA and all of Berks County to do so through a few easy habits. This is how you can work out the same way.

Reasons Why Car Battery Care is Important

The power behind your car battery is what brings to life the ignition system as well as your car lights, infotainment system and even the car safety measures. Your battery is weak, then your engine will never start, and your electronic equipment will not work. Majority of batteries have an average of 3 to 5 years, but this may be reduced through bad maintenance, weather- extremes and forgetting.

Testing Battery Health at Home

You do not have to be a mechanic to see how your battery is doing. These are some DIYs:

1. Visual Inspection

• Inspect the terminals and look out for the presence of any corrosion (white or blue-green powdery substance).
• Be sure to stay away from a swollen, cracked or leaking battery case.
• Make sure that the terminals and cables are secure and good.

2. The Headlight Test

• At night, start the engine of your car and switch the headlights on.
• In case they are dull or look bright when you rev the engine, they either have a dead battery, or the alternator is performing poorly.

3. Multimeter Use

• Change the dial of the multimeter to DC volts.
• Put the red lead on the positive post and the black lead on the negative.
• The car battery when turned off must measure 12.4 to 12.7 volts on good condition.
• A low voltage will indicate that your battery is either low charged or on its death throes.

Dying Battery Warning Signs

Investigating into the right time to change your battery would help you avoid an embarrassing breakdown. They are common sings, including:

• Slow engine crank: Takes longer time than normal to start. Low interior/dashboard lights: Particularly, when cruising the car.
• Check engine or battery light: This frequently indicates a problem with the battery.
• Electrical problems: Household radio, lights panel, or windows not working properly.
• Jump-starts: More than once in a month, you need to have your car jump-start, there is a battery problem.

In case your battery is older than 3 years of age and exhibiting such symptoms, you would do well to take it to a professional to either have it tested or to have it replaced.

Winter and Summer Battery Care Tips

Your battery can be impacted by the hot weather, and even the cold weather. In extreme conditions, it should be safe as follows:

Winter Care:

• Low temperatures reduce the efficiency of the battery because they slow down chemical reactions within it.
• When possible, park in a garage or indoors.
• Terminals should be clean in order to facilitate high density of current.
• It is better to avoid small journeys that do not give the battery the chance to recharge.

Summer Care:

• Battery fluid evaporation through the heat increases the corrosion and the poor performance.
• Carefully clean your battery and monitor the fluid levels in case the battery is dismountable (by caps).
• Ensure that your alternator is working properly so as to avoid genning.

During both seasons, a battery check-up should be done before peak weather.

When to Get a Professional

When you are not sure of whether your battery has given up or your vehicle has electrical problems, it is always better to take your car along to the auto shop to test your battery. We offer any driver in Reading and Berks County battery diagnosis, corrosion removal, and superior-brand replacements within the shortest time possible.

Conclusion

You do not need to spend a lot of time or money to maintain your car battery, but a lot of consistency is needed. Winterizing your cars, routine checks and the attention to warning signs can help you avoid surprise breakdowns and expensive tows. Be it a quick test, a jump-start you require or a change of a battery, Berks Auto Repair is the place which can just help you in getting a confidence to drive.