The car battery powers your vehicle, so if it stops working, you’re stranded until help arrives. To avoid this situation, learn how to take care of the battery with these maintenance do’s and don’ts.

Do:

Inspect the battery terminals at least twice a year.

Corrosion weakens the connection between the car battery and the vehicle. If corrosion is present, remove the cables: first the negative, then the positive.

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water, and pour it sparingly on the terminals. Use a wire brush to scrub off any corrosion, then rinse the paste off with clean water. Let it sit to dry.

Disconnect the battery for storage.

Batteries lose power even when everything is shut off. If you’re leaving your car in long-term storage, disconnect the negative terminal to ensure the vehicle won’t draw energy from the battery.

Learn how your car behaves.

Symptoms of a dying battery can include dim headlights and strange electrical discrepancies in the vehicle. For example, if you turn on the blinker and the dash lights dim, it may mean there is too much energy draw on the battery. You’ll want to get a professional evaluation of your battery.

Don’t:

Use electricity often when the car is off.

The alternator recharges the battery when the vehicle is running. If the car is off, all power is drawn directly from the battery. Draining the battery too much strains the alternator, which can damage both parts.

Let the car sit in the heat.

The chemicals in a car battery evaporate under hot conditions. If you leave your car out under the sun frequently, you’ll shorten the battery life by several months.

Let the battery totally discharge.

Discharging a battery completely can damage its recharging cells. Forgetting to turn the headlights off overnight will not only leave your car dead but also reduce the longevity of the battery.

If you think your car battery is losing charge or the alternator is performing poorly, take your vehicle to the professionals at Chung's Alignment & Auto Services in Honolulu, HI. They have more than 18 years of experience handling everything from tune-ups to air conditioning services. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (808) 744-8692 to make an appointment today.