You depend on your vehicle to transport you to appointments and leisure activities at your convenience. Yet despite all of the advancements in automobile technology, something as simple as a dead battery can leave you stranded. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, here are a few car maintenance do’s and don’ts for the battery.

Do:

Clean the battery.

Over time, both dirt and corrosion will build up on a battery’s terminals, interfering with the electrical connection. To clean them, turn off the engine and disconnect the battery, then scrub at the terminals and other dirty surfaces with a wire brush. Also, wipe down the battery with a solution of a tablespoon of baking soda and warm water. This brief bit of car maintenance will keep the battery in top condition.

Keep jumper cables in your car.

To be prepared for emergencies, keep a set of jumper cables on hand that you can use to jumpstart your car battery. Store them in the trunk so they’ll be readily available if your battery dies. Plus, you can use the cables to assist someone else with a dead car battery.

Don’t:

Leave the battery connected while your car is in storage.

Whenever you must store your car without driving it for a few weeks or longer, protect both your battery and vehicle by disconnecting them, which will help prevent the battery from draining on its own. You want to avoid discharging  it completely to preserve its life span. Also, make sure the location where you store your car isn’t too hot since that could evaporate the battery fluid, also shortening its life span.

Idle your car.

When you’re sitting in your car but not driving it, don’t leave it on without having the engine on as well. You may think you’re saving gas, but this is one of the quickest ways to kill the battery. At the very least, turn the engine on every few minutes so the battery has a chance to recharge.

If you’re seeking experts to provide more in-depth car maintenance assistance for your battery, turn to Fantastik Auto Repair. Located in Honolulu, HI, this car repair shop provides a wide range of services, from transmission repairs and oil changes to vehicle safety checks, all backed by more than 40 years of experience. Request a free estimate by calling (808) 842–3777, or learn more about their services online.