Posted June 13, 2018 by Ali's Woodinville
Summer is fast approaching, and it tends to be tough on most of your car’s systems, especially since folks are out driving more often and taking more long trips. It’s the summer heat that causes the most complications. For your battery it’s the same, but the strain usually comes from running more electrical components.
Turning up the music, running the air conditioning and plugging in other devices all put strain on the battery, which is why car battery problems are just as likely in summer as in a harsh winter. Here are some ways to keep your battery healthy headed into summer, plus some things to watch for and how to get it checked.
You can help your battery last longer by:
1. Driving the Car Consistently
Running the car regularly keeps it healthy in a number of ways, and it lets your battery stay at a consistent level of charge. If you have two or more vehicles, make sure one doesn’t sit for long stretches. Give each one some regular work.
2. Not Draining the Battery While the Car Is Off
Unplug your phone charger and any other device when the car is off. After you park and shut the engine off, try not to run the radio or headlights for more than a couple of minutes before starting the car again. These habits can drain the battery early and shorten its life.
3. Keeping the Battery Clean and Secured
Check that the battery is braced properly and doesn’t lift or wiggle in its spot. Some cars use straps or metal bars that screw down. Make sure it’s snug. Also make sure grease, dust and dirt aren’t collecting on the battery. Keep it clean.
You might also check for stains or corrosion on the battery, which could mean some sort of leak. Make sure the terminals are fastened tightly and that there isn’t extra corrosion or a lot of white, powdery buildup.
4. Getting Regular Maintenance for the Car
Of course we were going to say it. Just about any “auto tips” article really means that if you’re not sure, get it to a mechanic you can trust. If you’re not sure your mechanic checked the battery during your oil change or service, feel free to ask about it specifically. We can test the battery and its charge rate to see roughly how much life it has left. Regular maintenance and care for your engine also help keep the battery from being overloaded, which can shorten its life.
Warning Signs to Watch For
If you notice any funny smells (a rotten-egg smell around the battery is a classic one) or any odd behavior from the battery warning light, get the car to a mechanic as soon as you can. Keep in mind that the battery light can also point to the alternator, which recharges the battery as you drive. Slow cranking, headlights that dim at idle, and a battery that keeps going dead even after it’s been replaced are all signs the problem may be in the charging system rather than the battery itself. Most batteries last somewhere around three to five years, so if yours is in that range, a quick test before a summer road trip or the first cold snap is well worth it.
The battery may seem like a small part of the car, but it can cause a breakdown far faster than many other failing systems. Check your battery, and ask a mechanic you trust to check it too. And if you don’t have a mechanic you trust, it’s time to find one, like us. If you live in the Bothell, Woodinville or Kirkland area, come see Ali’s Woodinville Auto Repair for battery testing and auto electrical repair. We hope these car battery tips help.
Call 425-420-1630 or request an appointment to have your battery tested.
