As you drive, your car's battery works tirelessly to power the starter, spark plugs, headlights, dashboard dials, AC, and myriad other in-vehicle electronics. These Hyundai battery maintenance tips will help you get the best performance and the longest lifespan out of your car battery. Keep Your Battery Clean It's not good for dirt to build up on a battery's casing because moisture and grease in the grime can lead to corrosion and potentially allow conductivity to leak between the terminals. It's wise to make a habit of cleaning both the battery and its tray once a month. more Inspect Your Battery Monthly Most car batteries last from three to five years, but vibrations, extreme temperatures, or short circuits can sometimes lead to premature failure. Inspect your battery monthly for signs of damage. Corroded terminals or warped battery casing typically spell the end for a car battery. Cracks and leaks certainly mean you need a replacement. Make Sure It's Properly Fastened As mentioned, vibrations can cause a lot of damage to a car battery. You'll minimize this risk by periodically checking the clamps and brackets to ensure your battery is firmly fastened in place. Protect Your Battery From the Cold Subzero temperatures in the depths of an Ohio winter can slow the chemical reactions inside a car battery, which weakens it and causes permanent damage. Throughout winter, try to keep your car parked under cover and out of the cold whenever possible. You could also invest in an insulated battery jacket. Don't Let Your Battery Drain Completely Some drivers aren't aware that an empty battery deteriorates much more rapidly. It's therefore important to drive regularly, which keeps your battery charged at all times. If you need to leave your car unused for a while, a trickle charger will prevent it from fully depleting. Plan Ahead to Avoid Short Tips Drivers who only drive short distances sometimes find their batteries depleting to zero. This happens because short trips don't give the alternator enough time to properly recharge the battery. If you plan ahead and coordinate errands, you'll take longer trips, and your battery will always be recharged and healthy. Schedule Professional Battery Tests At least once a year, bring your battery in to have it tested. Our technicians can tell you what condition it's in. It's also a good idea to have your battery and entire electrical system inspected before winter and before any long trips that will put extra demands on your car. We Can Take Care of Your Hyundai Battery Maintenance With the help of a solid maintenance schedule with our experienced technicians, your car will start reliably, even on cold winter mornings. We can schedule battery inspections and other vital car services in a convenient timetable that works for you. Visit Coughlin Hyundai of Heath in Heath, OH, today to make sure your battery's still alive and kicking.
