Dead Car Battery? Here’s How You Avoid It
Every driver’s worst nightmare is being stranded on the road because of a dead battery. Panic is the most common reaction to such a situation. However, it won’t take you anywhere. A dead car battery means nothing in your vehicle’s electrical system will work. Not even the lights!
If you’re afraid of dealing with any car battery issues, this blog will give you the basics for you to avoid this unpleasant situation. Here are 6 things you can do to steer clear of any dead battery scenarios from now on.
Check Your Lights Aren’t Left On
You first need to check if your headlights, interior lights, or any other electric accessories are turned off. If they are still on, that’s the reason why your battery might be dead. To prevent this from happening again, get into the habit of always checking that all your car’s lights are turned off before exiting the vehicle.
Inspect All Battery Connections
The next thing you need to do is look at the battery connections. Ensure the battery terminals and posts are clean and free of corrosion. Corroded battery terminals are one of the most common reasons car batteries die. If you spot any corrosion, use a wire brush to clean it off.
Look For Any Parasitic Drain
Another thing that can drain your car battery is a parasitic drain. This happens when an electrical component in your vehicle draws power from the battery, even when the engine is turned off. The most common culprits are aftermarket accessories like GPS units, car alarms, and stereo systems.
To check for a parasitic drain, first, make sure that all your car’s accessories are turned off. Then disconnect the negative battery terminal and touch it to the positive terminal. If the engine starts, that means there’s a parasitic drain. To fix this, you’ll need to find the electrical component causing it and disconnect it.
Examine The Water Level
Check the acid level if you have a conventional lead-acid battery. A low water level in the battery can cause it to lose power and fail. If necessary, add distilled water to the battery. When removing and replacing the caps, exercise caution.
Test The Voltage
Get a voltmeter and test the battery voltage. If it reads 12.6 volts or higher, the battery is fully charged. If it’s 12.4 volts or lower, it must be recharged.
If you don’t have a voltmeter, you can also do a quick test with a hydrometer. A reading of 1.265 or higher means the battery is fully charged, while a reading lower than 1.225 indicates that it needs to be recharged.
Purchase Your New Battery At Your Nearest Hardware Store
If you’ve tried all of the above and your car battery is still not working, it might be time for a replacement. But where can you get a new battery? Look no further than Fix & Feed Store! We offer you the Energy Power: Auto Battery. This battery will power up your car in no time and keep the engine running smoothly.
We are your go-to hardware store when it comes to car appliances. Our staff is trained to help you with every purchase and assess you towards the best products. We ensure you with top-quality brands that will protect your car’s machinery. Visit our stores today!