What do you know about your car battery? We mean, other than that it provides the electricity to run your vehicle and that, without one, your car isn’t going anywhere, what do you know? Despite our best efforts to know more about our batteries, they seem to be one automotive component that gets short shrift when it comes to user understanding. That’s why we at Avondale Nissan have put together a short rundown of important car battery information for your reading pleasure.
Important Car Battery Information
Proper Battery Care
One thing to know about batteries is that, regardless of how well they are cared for, they have a definite lifespan. In most cases, experts agree that five years is pretty standard; some cheaper batteries may go quicker, while higher-quality batteries may last a year or so longer. However, regardless of the quality of the battery, it won’t last forever, and that’s why it’s important to do your best to take great care of it to extend its life as best you can.
Read More: Prevent Rust on your Car
A good place to start as it pertains to extending battery life is to make sure that the battery posts are clear of accumulating corrosion. By using lithium grease or anti-corrosion spray, and then removing the existing corrosion using a metal wire brush, you can easily clear the posts of buildup. For drivers who don’t drive their cars regularly — those who take transit, park their cars seasonally, etc. — it’s also important to run a car for an hour or so every three weeks, which ensures that the alternator can sufficiently charge the battery during the downtime.
Charging your Battery
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and that your battery will eventually die. Regardless of the steps that are taken to keep it on the up and up, it will fail after time. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go out and buy a new one right away. Of course, the first course of action is to jumpstart your car. Another method is to have your battery fully recharged (and tested) by a mechanic, or to buy a battery recharger that simply plugs into a wall electrical outlet and then charges your battery.
Read More: Tips for Handling a Car Accident
Eventually, you may notice that jumpstarts and recharges become more frequent than is acceptable, or when the top of the battery begins to crack and/or ooze fluid. At this time it’s necessary to get a new battery, which is something we’d be happy to do here at Avondale Nissan. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, click the button below!
