How to Maintain a Car Battery
Most modern car batteries have a life expectancy of between 4 and 7 years. During this time you will need to maintain the car battery to keep it in good condition and maximise its service-life.
There are two types of car battery available in today's market; the sealed type and standard type. Sealed car batteries need very little maintenance and may only need their connections checked for corrosion bi-annually.
Standard type batteries however need a little more attention. With removable caps, each battery cell can be checked and topped up with de-ionised water as required. It is a good idea to check these levels annually.
Basic Car Battery Maintenance
1) Check the condition of the car battery terminals and clamps. If corroded, these will need cleaning with a solution of baking soda and water. Let the solution finish bubbling and wipe off with a wet cloth. Once the battery terminals are clean apply grease to prevent future corrosion.
2) Check the levels of the car battery electrolyte. If low, they will need topping up with de-ionised water. Remove caps, check each cell individually and fill to the battery's max line. Once all levels are at the max line, replace caps.
