Good Battery Maintenance Is Good Habit
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of hearing that dreaded click-click-click when trying to start a vehicle, then you already know why practicing basic battery care is important. However, you may not know how to go about performing battery maintenance – and therefore, aren’t doing it.
The good news is that keeping a vehicle battery in good, serviceable condition doesn’t require much effort. In fact, physical investigation and regular maintenance are really the only tools necessary in an owner’s protection arsenal, regardless of the season.
Battery Care Checklist
Looking for actionable tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle’s battery? Here is a general process checklist oriented to handling the dual requirements of battery investigation and maintenance.
First things first, find the battery.
This may seem obvious, but some manufacturers get creative with battery placement in order to accommodate weight distribution or ambient temperature.
Generally, the vehicle’s battery will be under the hood located somewhere near the front corner. Shaped like a rectangular cube, it will have two terminals on top (one red, one black) with thick cables attached.
If you can’t find your battery, just check the owner’s manual for directions.
Take a good look at the outer battery case.
Make sure that the structure doesn’t have any bubbling or irregularities. Sometimes, a battery becomes overcharged and a build-up of heat and hydrogen gas can cause the outer case to crack and battery acid to leak. Other times, it may look bloated. If your battery has leakage or looks swollen, call a tow, as a car should never be driven under these conditions.
Investigate battery terminals, brackets and posts.
If the battery terminals have covers, lift them up and take a peek. Are there any signs of corrosion? A grimy white or greenish film reminiscent of bread mold is a dead giveaway. This type of build-up is normal, but can affect battery performance – and life.
Clean things up.
Use an old rag to wipe away any loose dirt or grit sitting on the battery. As for the filmy corrosion, this can be tackled with a simple paste-like solution of baking soda and water.
With the engine off, disconnect the black negative cable and then the red positive cable. Then, use an old toothbrush or similar small brush to apply the baking soda mixture to the corrosion and gently scrub it away. Wipe everything away with a damp rag, and then dry it thoroughly with a clean, dry rag.
Before reconnecting the cables (positive first, then negative), do yourself a favor and apply a little petroleum jelly to the terminals. This provides lubrication, strengthening the connection and resisting further corrosion.
Tighten things up.
Ensure that all related cables are tight and secure, as loose connections can impair a vehicle’s ability to transmit power. Additionally, check that the battery tray hold-down is tight and secure, and that all belts are tight to make sure alternator charging is optimal.
Pay attention.
A weak battery usually lets itself known before it fails. Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs like hard starting, dim lights while idling, or that dreaded clicking sound upon start up.
Since extreme temperatures can negatively impact battery life, seek out shady parking spots in the summer and warmer or covered spaces in the winter.
Make some changes.
Driving habits can affect battery life just as much as maintenance routine. Specifically, frequent short trips can strain a vehicle battery since the alternator doesn’t have enough time during the trip to recharge the battery. Consider rethinking errand runs or parking in a central location and incorporating more walking (if possible).
Useful Battery Maintenance Tools
For those folks interested in exercising their DIY muscles, here are some battery care tools that may come in handy for more in-depth or routine inspection and maintenance.
Battery Post Cleaner – This simple and inexpensive appliance is used to clean battery posts. The device integrates metal brushes to easily remove corrosion or other particulates that limit connectivity.
Battery Cable Stripper – Batteries typically utilize #1 gauge conductors to connect with a vehicle’s electrical system. In order to strip and remove insulation to expose a metal conductor, this tool is most efficient.
Battery Cable Cutter – Working in concert with a proper cable stripper, this device easily cuts #1 gauge conductors. Some options actually incorporate a cable stripper.
Battery Three-Way Tool – This handy device includes sharp steel cleaning blades to remove corrosion and properly shape terminal clamps and posts.
Battery Terminal Brush – Like a post cleaner, this product employs metal brushes to help remove corrosion and other particulates.
Battery Terminal Cleaner – This spray product reacts with corrosion to loosen and remove battery terminal particulates.
Battery Carrier – This pressure-clamp device aids in lifting, transferring, and installing car batteries.
Battery Filler Bulb – Looking much like a turkey baster, this flexible bulb device picks up battery acid, and easily allows the user to add electrolyte to the battery case.
Battery Terminal Spreader – Over time, battery terminals can freeze and seize against battery posts. This reverse-push tool efficiently spreads terminal blades, thereby allowing easy removal for cleaning and/or replacement.
Battery Nut Wrench – This little device fits standard #10mm nuts, and easily aids the owner during terminal removal.
Battery Terminal Puller – This threaded-hook device easily removes battery terminals.
Battery Terminal Grease – This dielectric silicone grease helps prevent corrosion on battery terminals, and can stand up to a wider temperature range than petroleum jelly or regular automotive grease.
Other Battery Maintenance Demands
Perhaps you’re storing a classic car for the summer, or simply don’t drive all that much. A parked car can still cause battery drain. In these cases, additional maintenance chores apply.
Start ‘er up.
Set a reminder to start up the car at least once a week. The trick here is to let the vehicle run for a while – perhaps 15-20 minutes – so it can warm up and the alternator can charge the battery.
Invest in a battery charger.
These devices will replenish a battery, essentially keeping it ‘topped’ up. Many options use low voltage and can therefore be left connected for months, while others need to be babysat. If low maintenance sounds appealing, opt for a ‘smart’ battery charger or maintainer that automatically shuts on and off as needed.
Keep a jump starter on deck.
Sometimes, no matter how many preventative measures you take, the vehicle battery dies. A dome light gets left on, or the door doesn’t close all the way. Whatever it may be, don’t get left in the lurch. Pick up a portable jump starter, and keep it close by. (The glovebox will do just fine.) These handy little devices use lithium power to provide a battery boost, getting the vehicle up and running.
A dead battery certainly isn’t the worst thing that can happen, but it might be one of the most annoying. Following these maintenance basics, however, will help ensure a long service life for your battery – and less aggravation for you!