The battery is the “heart” of a car’s electrical system. It supplies power to the ignition, lights, head unit, speakers and other connected components. Without a battery — or with a dead battery — the car won’t start upon turning the ignition.

Like most automotive components, though, even your car battery will eventually fail. A battery that’s properly maintained should last four to six years. But if you don’t maintain your car’s battery, it may last for just a year or two. So, how can you keep your battery running longer?

Check the Date of Manufacture

Do you know the date on which your car’s battery was manufactured? For most drivers, the answer is “no.” You can easily identify its date of manufacture, however, by looking for a sticker. Most car batteries have a sticker revealing the exact date on which it was manufactured. If it’s at least five years old, you should replace it.

Clean Corrosion

One of the most important steps in maintaining a car battery is cleaning off corrosion. When acid and/or water spills from the battery, it oxidizes and turns to rust. If left unchecked, this rust can literally eat away at the terminals and the battery itself. You can prevent permanent damage such as this by cleaning corrosion off the battery and connecting terminals.

To clean off corrosion, mix distilled water and baking soda into a disposable bowl and apply directly to the corroded area. Using a wire brush — the same type used to clean grill grates — gently scrub the corrosion until it wipes off. Baking soda has two purposes for this application: it creates a paste-like substance to easily remove corrosion, and it neutralizes spilled battery acid.

Coat Terminals with Protective Grease

Cleaning corrosion is only one step in maintaining your car’s battery. After removing the corrosion, you should apply a protective grease over the terminals to keep them clean and rust-free.

Available at most auto parts store, white lithium grease protects against corrosion without disturbing the battery’s electrical connection. Go ahead and clean and tighten the terminals, after which you can apply the grease.

To learn more about car battery maintenance, contact us today.