Battery safety and longevity recommendations

Linda Irving

The car battery is one of the most underappreciated vehicular components. People spend hundreds and thousands on their car but forget to look at the battery. What people fail to understand is that it is the battery which is powering the car. Without it, the car would not even start. Similarly, a weak battery would result in the car stalling. It might not seem like a big thing but if you are driving down a busy road or highway, a stalling car is the last thing you would want. It not only endangers your life but those of others as well. Countries and areas with warmer climates require extra care for car batteries. So if you are in UAE, below are some tips that will help your car batteries in uae a better and long lasting life span.

Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing about ways to ensure that the car battery is safe and remains durable. Pay close attention and take down notes if you have to.

  • Limiting Short Rides

First of all, try to limit short rides. If you use your vehicle to drive down to the shops nearby, try to walk. The reason is that short rides prevent the battery from charging fully. Over time, it can negatively impact the car’s durability. Therefore, reserve the car for distances which are not walkable.

  • Tie Down the Battery

Make sure that the battery is properly fastened. Jumps and bumps in the road can loosen the battery. This causes the battery to vibrate. A vibrating battery is dangerous as it can lead to short circuiting. Therefore, make sure that the terminals are properly fastened, and the battery is firmly inside the mounting bracket.

  • Clean the Battery

What people fail to understand is that even a battery requires maintenance. Over time, the terminals get corroded. Therefore, clean them thoroughly. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the terminals. Make sure that the car is turned off. Remove the negative clamp first, followed by the positive.

Dip the terminals in the mixture or use a toothbrush to apply the mixture on the terminals. Once done, wet the terminals and battery with spraying bottle or wet cloth. This done to remove any remaining residue. Afterwards, dry the terminal and the battery and reattach the clamps. Attach the positive clamp first, followed by the negative one.

  • Avoid Prolonged Exposure to Heat/Sunlight

Prolonged exposure to sunlight or heat can permanently damage the battery. Therefore, cover the car if you do not plan on using it for a long time. Moreover, never light a fire near a car battery. Although many new batteries are resistant to fire, it is still best to exercise caution.

  • Do Not Use Electronics While Idling

If the engine is not running and you are just in the car, avoid using electronics. Turning on the infotainment system, AC or charging your phone can cause the battery to wear out prematurely.

Final Thoughts

In addition to the above recommendations, test your battery regularly to ensure that it is in perfect working condition. A voltmeter can check the battery’s output voltage. The reading on the voltmeter will give you an idea of the battery’s overall health. The idle reading is 12.66 volts. If its less than 12.45, it is time to recharge the battery.