A healthy car battery is one of the essential parts of a functional car. It needs regular service and maintenance to perform well over time. Knowing how it works, its purpose, how to spot a bad car battery, what time it needs a replacement, etc., can help one gather valuable and exciting informations.

The information acquired can be used to ensure the car battery remains stable and in working condition because the last thing one would want is a dead car battery in the middle of a road. Read on!

Content of the article –

  • Introduction to a car battery
  • Benefits of investing in a good quality car battery
  • How does a car battery work?
  • How to care for your vehicle battery?
  • Factors that can shorten your battery life
  • Signs your car battery is weak or dead
  • How to find the right battery for your car?
  • What is the right time to get your car battery replaced?
  • Is this safe to drive with car battery problems?
  • Conclusion

Introduction to a car battery

A car battery is a rechargeable battery that is used to start a car. A healthy and functional battery powers a car. It is one of the car parts that does not get enough attention, but it does a lot of things and plays a vital role in ensuring a car remains fit and fine. Because of all the benefits they provide, a vehicle owner should always take appropriate care of the battery to keep them healthy for higher efficiency.

How does a car battery work

A car needs a battery to function. Without a battery in place, the car won’t start, let alone moving. In other words, car batteries are responsible for powering up a whole vehicle. If the battery is not working, the car parts will not work. How does a small object contain so much power?

This takes us to the question – How does a car battery work? When a car is turned on, the battery gets a signal. The battery then converts the chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrical power delivered to the starter is used to crank the engine. A battery also powers the light and other accessories of a car. Most of these batteries based on a lead-acid chemical reaction fall into the category of SLI, which is short for starting, lighting, and ignition.

How to care for your vehicle battery?

A car battery goes through a lot, including severe fluctuations in temperatures. Both extreme heat and cold weather conditions can deteriorate the life of a car battery. After purchasing a good quality car battery, the second question is how to take appropriate care of the car battery. Like any other part of a car, its battery needs care and maintenance.

How to care for your vehicle battery

Please find below a few things one can consider when taking care of their car battery.

Switch the battery on at periodic intervals

One of the reasons car batteries stop working properly and eventually become non-functional is because a car is not put in working condition frequently. In other words, if a vehicle remains idle for an extended period, the power that remains inside the battery will drain rapidly and possibly prompt a situation when the battery would need a replacement. This is why it is essential to regularly switch on the car battery and take a car to the roads at least once a week.

Avoid unnecessary usages

One of the main reasons car batteries lose their power is because the car’s lights and music systems are turned on and chargers plugged in when it is not needed. Keeping these functions active will result in loss of battery power unnecessarily. So, when leaving a car, make sure to check if everything is in place and you are not unnecessarily wasting the battery power.

Make sure that the car battery is clean.

The steady buildup of dirt and dust could also be the reason for a degraded battery. The terminals of the battery can also corrode over time. The accumulation of dirt and drainage of the battery charge could cause a short circuit too. So keeping the battery clean is essential. Things as simple as keeping the terminals clean using a brush can work. However, take professional help for recommendations on keeping the battery cleaned if needed.

Reduce exposure to heat

Try to avoid heat exposure to the battery. Overexposure to heat can bring down battery life. Other than these, always check if the battery is fastened correctly. A battery that is not properly fastened can lead to a series of issues, such as damage to the internal parts of a car, short circuits etc. A car battery health check can also tell the present health status of a car battery and if it needs a replacement.

Routine care, maintenance and opting for a quality battery from a trusted brand are all parts of keeping the battery healthy and active.

Factors that can shorten your battery life

While a well-managed car battery should perform well over time, it will eventually need replacement at one point after years of continuous operation. However, deterioration and loss of life can happen speedily if the battery is exposed to certain factors. Which are the factors that can negatively impact a car battery’s health? Here we take a look!

Extreme temperature conditions can deteriorate battery health. A poor-charging system and alternators with faulty diodes can also cause battery issues. Dirt and grease buildup also drain battery life, as noted above.

Personal habits are also responsible for causing irreversible damage to a battery. For example, excessive or overusing in-vehicle entertainment systems can stain the battery. We have also talked about how keeping a car idle for extended periods, and corrosion on terminals can harm the battery. These are some of the factors responsible for affecting the battery.  

Signs your car battery is weak or dead

What are the signs indicating that a car’s battery is not in its proper working condition and needs a replacement soon? Spotting these issues is not hard if one is attentive. Here are some signs telling it’s time for a battery replacement. Not all of these may indicate the same issue, so it is good to seek an expert’s help to remove confusion.

Signs your car battery is weak or dead

The car fails to start: Seasonal changes and other issues can make a car not start. A weak and low-quality battery can be the easy target of seasonal changes and worst weather conditions.

Lighting and other issues: Are lights flickering on the dashboard? Is a car’s lighting systems malfunctioning? These can be signs of a bad car battery.

Unexpected smell: When the hood is opened, does it smell like rotten eggs? A leaking battery may be the reason. A car battery needs to be replaced as soon as possible in this situation.

Other signs that may indicate a battery replacement is needed include a disfigured battery and a battery that is depleting soon etc. Do you hear a clicking sound at the time of turning the key? Are the battery terminals loose? These can be signs of a weak battery. Another noticeable thing when a battery needs to be replaced is when it becomes old.

Generally speaking, a car battery can last between 3 to 5 years, but several factors collectively decide its total lifespan. The type of the car purchased, the way it has been fastened, quality of driving, frequency of driving, condition of the roads, storage conditions etc., also have their overall impact on ensuring the total life of a car battery.

How to find the correct battery for your car

Taking proper care of the car battery should keep it healthy and extend its lifespan. But at one point, it will need replacement. It is good to have the battery tested by experts and replace it as soon as necessary.

When finding the correct battery, one needs to consider several things. Make sure that you know the actual capacity of your car battery. Opting for a battery of too small capacity means you may need to replace it sooner. Alternatively, opting for a battery with a higher capacity than required means spending more money.

Always make sure to purchase a car battery that is designed for the make and model of your car. Refer to the user manual for accurate information on which type of battery will best suit your car.

While purchasing a car battery, it is essential to determine the battery group size. It should conveniently and securely fit its tray. Another essential thing to consider while getting a brand new battery for your car is the brand of the battery. Always choose a trusted company with a credible track record of providing high-quality products in the market. A professional company should have excellent customer support. You may wish to follow review sites or ask people in your contacts about recommendations. Whichever brand is chosen, make sure that it fits your car.

Refrain from opting for low-quality products that are priced affordably because these batteries may need replacement sooner than normal, requiring you to invest more money than needed. As with price, the warranty can also be a deciding factor about the quality of a battery. A good car battery should come with decent warranty coverage, which is proof of the quality of the product.

New batteries last longer compared to their old variants. Make sure to check the manufacturing date. Generally speaking, a battery is regarded as fresh if less than six months old.       

Another thing to consider while choosing a car battery is to check the reserve capacity rating. A good reserve capacity rating is nice, but make sure to refer to the user manual to learn about the recommended reserve capacity rating suitable for the model and type of your car. Determining the battery’s cold-cranking Amp rating is also important, but if you live in an area with a warm climate year-round, this is not a very significant factor during the battery buying process.

What is the right time to get your car battery replaced?

The average lifespan of a car battery depends on the car’s condition and how the battery has been taken care of. Several other things collectively decide the age of a battery. We have covered many of these points above.

However, generally speaking, a car battery should last anything 3 to 5 years. It is a good idea to keep a close watch on the battery’s health regularly. When any sign of battery malfunction or battery damage is spotted, get the battery tested and, if needed, replace it. Opting for a good quality battery that suits your needs should not be a costly decision but deciding not to replace an old or poor quality battery surely will because you never know when the battery will stop working on the road.

Therefore, the best practice is to maintain the battery properly, inspect its health from time to time and get it changed when it becomes old and/or starts showing signs of issues. As a rule of thumb, always consider opting for a car battery after researching the market and trust an established source with a credible track record in the market.

Livguard offers a complete range of modern Maintenance Free car and SUV batteries that can deliver years of dependable service. These are robust, sturdy and long-lasting batteries for every road condition in India.

Benefits of investing in a good quality car battery

While it is good to seek ways to save money, certain expenses should never be underestimated. For example, it is highly recommended to invest in a good car battery that is equipped with all the features you need. Factors like weather, driving conditions, roads, duration of trip, etc. can impact a battery’s life, but proper care and regular maintenance can improve its performance and life. More so if it is a high-quality battery.

Besides being long-lasting, quality batteries from reputable brands should be better positioned to resist issues arising from hostile weather conditions than substandard batteries that would struggle to provide the necessary power to the car. High-quality batteries from reputed companies should be designed and built using the best materials. These batteries also come with a decent warranty period, proof of their quality!

These are just a few reasons covering the need to invest in a high-quality car battery. Simply put, investing in a quality product should provide maximum value; it should last long and have all the features desired in a high-performing product.

Is this safe to drive with car battery problems?

Absolutely no. It is not safe to drive a car that has battery problems. A battery showing signs of issues should immediately be attended to, fixed or replaced. Avoiding the signs can be expensive. Driving a car with battery problems can result in a decline in the vehicle’s health. It can interfere with the overall car performance and lead to several risks making the driving potentially unsafe for the driver and people inside and outside the car.

Conclusion

This is it. We hope you liked this article on car batteries that covered various aspects of a car battery, its purpose, performance, etc. We have also talked about the ways to keep it fine. One of the reasons car batteries die prematurely is the lack of care and maintenance. Batteries often leave striking signs of a potential failure, but lack of attention makes them forgotten. As a rule of thumb, choose a battery that fits your car’s needs, take care of it efficiently and when the signs start to appear, attend to them and take needed action. If needed, replace the battery without waiting. Every part of a car needs to be fit and functional to provide a rewarding driving experience. Battery, being an essential part of a car, should be cared for attentively.

Modern cars and SUVs come equipped with a lot of standard electronic equipment. Livguard’s car and SUV batteries deliver adequate and reliable power to meet these needs. To learn more about car batteries, the best car and SUV batteries etc., please follow this link.