Below are a few easy tips for your car’s battery care to help you get the best life from your battery:

1. Keep the battery clean and free of grease and dirt, as a dirty battery can discharge across the grime on the battery case.
2. Check the battery’s state of charge using a voltmeter or if the battery is accessible ie vent caps use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. A charged battery should have a stable voltage above 12.5 volts.
3. Check battery posts are free from sulfation (white powdery substance). Ensure all terminals and brackets are tightened, as vibration can cause internal damage to battery care. Check cables for any breakages or any other signs of wear and tear.
4. Make sure the battery case is not damaged or warped. This can be a sign of overcharging or excessive heat.
5. If the battery is non-maintenance free, check electrolyte level every 12 weeks, if necessary top up using distilled water, never use sulphuric acid.
6. Make sure the vehicle charging system is working correctly. The vehicle output should be between 13.5 to 14.8 volts. Overcharging or undercharging will significantly shorten the life of the battery.
7. For batteries that are used infrequently or stored for periods of time, it is recommended that the battery be recharged every 12 weeks or maintained using a trickle or maintenance charger. Batteries that are not kept charged may sulfate which will affect the performance and life of the battery.

If you need your battery’s condition or state of charge checked, bring it to SW Batteries and we can test and inspect your battery for you free of charge.