This article will talk about how to care for car batteries. Many drivers do not attach due importance to battery care, and as a result, they experience such troubles as a decrease in battery capacity and a shortened service life, up to irreversible damage.
Car battery care becomes especially important during the winter season. If this matter is handled poorly in winter, then a car can actually become a useless piece of metal from a means of transportation that cannot be started.
It is in winter that unpleasant things happen, such as being late for an important business meeting or work due to a damaged battery. But the root of the evil lies on the surface - the driver did not attach due importance to caring for the battery in winter. If you take care of it properly throughout the year, the battery can work quite effectively for at least 7 years.
Therefore, it makes sense to once again emphasize the following - if the battery is cared for regularly, then it will serve for a long time and without failure. Otherwise, you only have yourself to blame. In 90% of cases, it is the battery that determines whether the car will start or not.
What types of batteries are there?
Serviced
Batteries of this type have so-called filler plugs. These plugs are used to control the density of the electrolyte, as well as to check the current level. If you care for a car battery of this type skillfully and regularly, it can serve without fail for quite a long time. However, every year the production of batteries from this group is constantly declining.
Out of service
These batteries do not require continuous monitoring of the electrolyte level and its maintenance as it is consumed. Features of this group of batteries include the presence of a special valve for removing gases and the possibility of periodic recharging. The majority of batteries available on the market today belong to this group.
In winter, many car owners begin to seriously “torment” batteries in order to start the engine of their car. However, the battery is not always the reason why a car won't start. This depends on a number of other factors, such as the quality of engine oil, gasoline, the condition of the glow plug, etc. Therefore, first it is better to find out the reason for the stubbornness of the “car”, and not to continue to drive the battery.
Types of batteries
Batteries are installed on absolutely all vehicles, and car manufacturers have not yet come up with an alternative to them. Today you can find quite a wide variety of batteries, both by operating principle and by manufacturer. We will try to deal with the so-called conventional acid batteries, since AGM and helium options are somewhat different.
Acid batteries can be divided into two types:
- Serviceable batteries. These devices include batteries that have filler plugs that allow you to independently control the level and density of the electrolyte. If necessary, electrolyte can be added to bring its level to the optimal level. Such batteries are durable and reliable in operation, but require very careful maintenance. In the automotive market today they are not particularly widespread and their number is constantly decreasing.
- Maintenance free batteries. This battery option occupies the majority of the car battery market. These devices differ in that it is impossible to control and add electrolyte to them. Manufacturers strive to limit as much as possible the direct intervention of owners in the operation of the system. Structurally, the difference is the fact that they do not have plugs for refilling the electrolyte, but they have a special hole for removing excess gases, eliminating the possibility of damage to the case.
Keeping it clean
The surface of the battery must always be clean and this must be carefully monitored. Pay attention to the terminals - they should not be covered with a layer of dirt or an oxide film.
If a battery is used for a long time, its terminals very often become oxidized. The resulting plaque has a high ohmic resistance and is a poor conductor of electric current. For this reason, it should be cleaned using sandpaper and ammonia.
Also, in batteries of a non-maintenance type, the gas outlet hole is often clogged. If this is discovered during visual inspection, then the hole needs to be cleaned. Otherwise, the accumulated gases will damage the battery case.
Periodic inspection and maintenance
Like any component of a car, the battery needs periodic checking and diagnostics. If you have a new battery, then this procedure at an authorized service center is required to maintain the warranty.
How is the battery checked? First of all, a load fork - it simulates the load from the car starter, recording the drop in battery voltage. If the battery is serviceable, then you need to check the electrolyte level, simultaneously measuring its density with a hydrometer.
In addition to the battery, the car itself is checked with a multimeter (tester): the level of charge from the generator and the leakage current. Malfunctions in the car’s electrical system primarily affect the “health” of the battery. For independent monitoring of the battery condition and charge level, there are convenient digital testers that operate from the cigarette lighter.
Maintenance of a modern battery usually comes down to cleaning it from dirt and charging it with a stationary charger.
Fixing the terminals
The battery terminals should always be securely secured. If they are not clamped well, then when overcoming some bump, the battery may become disconnected and the car will simply stall.
This is an extremely dangerous situation that leads to a number of other troubles. For example, deterioration in brake performance or steering wheel locking. If this happens while driving, an uncontrolled or poorly controlled vehicle can cause a serious accident. Therefore, before the trip, it is highly advisable to verify the quality of the terminals.
Surface cleaning
It is imperative to monitor the cleanliness of the device. Its surface needs to be cleaned from time to time. For this purpose, you can use a 10% solution of ammonia or soda ash.
Soak a soft, clean cloth in the substance, and then gently wipe the battery with it. This procedure will help remove dust particles, residual oil mixtures and other types of contaminants.
You should also pay attention to the terminals. Elements must not oxidize. A similar problem can be identified by a dense layer of scale, which negatively affects the contact of the battery with the car.
You can correct the situation by cleaning the battery terminals with ammonia. After applying the product, scale can be easily removed with ordinary sandpaper.
If there are doubts about the effectiveness of this method, then you can use special preparations that allow you to wash the battery.
You should also check the cleanliness of the pins from time to time. You can clean them together with the terminals. It should be remembered that drops of diesel fuel, washer fluid, oil or gasoline should never fall on the surface of the battery case. Such chemical compounds can not only damage the plastic from which the battery is made, but also cause a fire. If the substance does get on the battery, it must be wiped off as soon as possible with a dry cloth.
Electrolyte check
If the battery is serviceable, then the car owner can easily control the electrolyte filling. If the level has decreased to a critical level, then the efficiency of the battery decreases significantly. Especially in cold winter.
What to do if the volume of electrolyte has decreased significantly? Then you need to top up the battery with distilled water. But there is one caveat here - when topping up the battery with distilled water, its charging time will increase noticeably. Also, do not fill the battery with more liquid than necessary.
Electrolyte level
The electrolyte level in the battery should be checked every few months. You don't have to do this dirty work every week.
Its level should be between o and “MAX”. To restore it you need to add distilled water. Tap water cannot be used, otherwise scale will form on the walls.
If the battery is draining quickly, the electrolyte has turned brown, or the device is not producing voltage at all, it's time to clean the inside.
Flushing is not a panacea for all problems and in the near future you will have to go to a service station.
How to wash the battery and replace the electrolyte:
- First, pump out the contaminated electrolyte.
- Then pour distilled water into the system and rinse the walls. Pour out the used liquid and repeat the procedure until it comes out clean.
- Leave the last water inside for 2-3 hours. Add electrolyte to the jars, trying to maintain a density of 1.2.
- Then you should put the device on charge and leave it for a day.
How to charge a car battery - general rules
If the battery is deeply discharged, it must be restored using a charger. The range of modern car battery chargers these days is quite wide. If we talk about spending, then the best option would be to buy a charger at average prices.
It makes sense to consider in a little more detail how this is done correctly.
- In winter, you need to remove the battery from the car and move it to a warm room and let it warm up to room temperature.
- It is strictly not recommended to charge in the living room. Electrolyte vapors are dangerous to human health. This should be done in a ventilated and warm room. As a last resort, on the balcony in dry, not frosty weather.
- Avoid the presence of children and animals in the room where the battery is charging to avoid electric shock.
- Clean the terminals from dirt and grease, and completely wipe the battery with a dry cloth.
- If it is serviceable, then carefully unscrew all the caps from the electrolyte cans with a wide flat screwdriver.
- Carefully connect the battery to the charger. There is a whole variety of them, so each has its own charging principle. Be sure to read the instructions! Before plugging the charger into the network, it is better not to be lazy and check the instructions again.
- It is highly advisable to visually monitor the entire charging process. If you need to leave, then no longer than 5-10 minutes.
- When the battery is charged, the automation itself will disconnect the charger from the power supply. If your charger does not provide this, then you need to regularly monitor the process.
- When mechanically disconnecting the battery from the charger, you should first disconnect the minus terminal.
The procedure is, in principle, simple, and requires not so much experience and knowledge as attentiveness and caution. There is no need to call specialists to charge the battery; you can do everything yourself.
Battery care
As mentioned earlier, its service life will depend on proper and regular care of the battery. The rules for car battery care are quite simple, and anyone, even a very inexperienced driver, can follow them.
Charging rules
Charging the battery and maintaining the required charge level is the most important thing that every motorist should know. This aspect should be given special attention.
Theoretically, all vehicle owners know how the battery is charged, but in practice one can encounter all sorts of violations in this process. If the car is in good condition and the battery is new, then recharging occurs from the generator. Over time, due to the characteristics of operation, long vehicle downtimes or frequent trips over very short distances in winter, the charge level can decrease significantly. This can be noticed by interruptions in starting the car or after checking with a special device - a voltmeter. If the device readings have decreased relative to the optimal values, it means that the battery requires recharging.
Experienced motorists say that using the battery in winter is the most problematic. They advise putting the load on the battery gradually, for example, you can turn on the headlights first, and only then start the engine. The car needs to be allowed to run for about ten minutes, warm up, and only then turn on the music and additional lighting.
If the battery is discharged too much, it needs to be recharged using a charger. This can be done according to the following scheme:
- Remove the battery and move it to a dry and heated room.
- We connect it to charging, following the instructions.
- We connect the charger to the electrical network.
- We periodically monitor the charging process (do not leave the device unattended for a long time).
- After charging is complete, the charger must first be disconnected from the network.
- Disconnect the battery, starting from the negative terminal.
- We install the battery back on the car and secure it well.
- We start the vehicle engine.
Electrolyte level in the serviced battery
Caring for serviced batteries has the main difference - mandatory monitoring of the electrolyte level. It is the lack of this substance that will negatively affect the efficient operation of the battery, especially if the temperature outside is sub-zero. If this process is not noticed in time, the properties of the battery may be irreversibly damaged and you will have to buy a new battery.
If such a process is detected, then distilled water should be added through special plugs. This will allow you to return the liquid level to the desired level and bring its density to an acceptable standard. When topping up, you must not lose sight of the fact that when charging, the electrolyte level will increase, which means it is absolutely forbidden to fill above the required level. Excess electrolyte can lead to a critical increase in pressure inside the battery case and then to its destruction.
Keeping it clean
Cleanliness is worth paying extra attention to when caring for your battery.
- It is worth keeping a very close eye on the terminals. They have the ability to oxidize, that is, they become covered with a dense coating of “scale.” This significantly reduces contact between the battery and the vehicle.
Cleaning of plaque can be done using simple sandpaper and ammonia. The plaque will be removed completely and without much difficulty.
- We monitor the gas outlet hole. It should be as clean as possible. If clogged, the gases may not find a way out and damage the housing. In this situation, replacing the battery will be inevitable.
- Under no circumstances should oil, gasoline, washer fluid or diesel fuel come into contact with the battery housing. All these substances are flammable liquids and can cause fire. In such a situation, the liquid must be wiped off well with a dry cloth.
Fixation Rules
The battery and its terminals must always be securely secured. Poorly secured terminals cannot ensure high-quality charging of the battery, or when driving on uneven roads there is a risk that they will even come off completely. In such a situation, the car will suddenly stall, and this can lead to the steering wheel locking and poor brake performance. The car becomes uncontrollable, and it will be possible to avoid an emergency situation only by a “miracle”. Based on this, it will never be superfluous to check the degree of fastening of the terminals, and indeed the entire battery.
Storage rules
Sometimes drivers don't use their car for too long. If the car owner plans not to use the vehicle for only a few weeks and the temperature outside is above zero, then it is not necessary to completely remove the battery. In this case, it is enough to simply disconnect one terminal. And before the trip, reconnect everything and start the engine. After a few minutes of engine operation, the battery will recharge and everything will return to normal.
If you still decide to remove the battery, you will need to store it in a cool, dry place with a positive temperature. In this case, you need to try to find a place where the battery will not be exposed to direct sunlight. Immediately after removing the battery, you need to check the integrity of the box. If there are any oil stains or smudges, they should be wiped dry. In serviced batteries, be sure to check the plugs to see how tightly they are screwed on. It is also important to check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, top up with distilled water.
Winter storage
When this happens in winter, it is best to remove the battery and place it in a warm and dry room. If this is not done, the properties of the battery will deteriorate significantly and its service life will naturally decrease. Sometimes the battery may be discharged so deeply that even after recharging it will not be possible to restore the original properties of the battery. If the battery is removed, it still needs to be recharged from time to time. Motorists are advised to do this at least once every three months.
From all of the above, we can draw the following conclusion: if you are a good owner of your car, you will be able to pay enough attention to such an important part of it as the battery, and it, in turn, will work almost twice as long, which will save some amount of money.
How to properly store a battery in winter?
It often happens that a car owner practically does not use his “iron horse” in winter. If you do the same, then do not neglect the most important rule of caring for your battery in winter - remove it from the car and store it in a heated room with a low humidity percentage.
If the battery is exposed to air with sub-zero temperatures for a long time, then all its important technical characteristics will certainly suffer.
The battery will begin to hold a charge poorly or will be completely discharged. This often causes complete failure of the battery.
But even in storage mode, the battery needs to be recharged periodically. This should be done at least once every three months. This measure will ensure that all battery performance characteristics are maintained at the proper level.
Security measures
Maintenance of car batteries is carried out in accordance with some recommendations and safety measures:
- Before carrying out work, prepare glasses and gloves made of durable material.
- All events are held in premises equipped with ventilation systems and communications.
- When working with acids and alkalis, precautions must be taken.
- Batteries should be placed on a clean and dry surface.
- Contact between the skin and the electrolytic composition should be avoided.
The functioning of all mechanisms and systems of the vehicle depends on the performance of the battery. The energy generated by the power source is used to start the engine, recharge electronic components and the on-board network.
It is not difficult to prevent rapid battery failure. This requires maintenance of the power supply.
Video on battery maintenance
Storage and fixation
If the vehicle will not be used for quite a long time, then it is necessary to provide the battery with optimal storage conditions in advance.
The device must be turned off and removed from the car, since sub-zero temperatures can render it unusable. It is advisable to store the battery in a sufficiently warm and dry room. But you don’t need to place it next to heat sources, otherwise the device will quickly discharge. Deep discharge of the device can negatively affect its condition. To prevent problems, it is advisable to recharge the battery every 3-4 months. So, the device will last as long as possible.
To ensure the safest and most reliable use of the device, it must be properly secured. To check the fixation, you can try to move the battery by hand, turning off the engine first.
It must be taken into account that if the terminals are incorrectly secured, the charging process may be disrupted. Thus, a crooked plane and poorly installed terminals often become the reasons why the car constantly stalls. This affects not only the convenience, but also the safety of vehicle operation.
Factors affecting battery life
A long and stable service life of a car battery depends on a combination of favorable operating factors and preventive measures by the car owner. Let's analyze each of the factors to find out exactly how to extend the service life and not ruin your expensive battery ahead of time.
The lifespan of a car battery depends on how long it can hold a charge and its ability to recharge. Once it can't be recharged, it's dead. There are a number of factors that can affect your car's battery, including humidity, temperature and other environmental factors.
Let's assume ideal conditions: no high temperatures, no excessive humidity - in short, an ideal world for your car. Under these conditions, you can expect your car battery to last about 6 years. On average, a car battery lasts from 2 to 5 years. If you live in the northern part of the Russian Federation, your car's battery life will be lower because you are in a cold climate. Warm climates tend to reduce the damage caused by cold, although it does cause a new problem - sulfation and fluid loss.
Charge level
It is not the charging itself that matters, but the number of charging cycles. The more they were used in a short period of time, the less time the battery will last. No need to charge it if the charge is 50% or 25%. 10% or even 5% is the right indicator and signal for recharging the battery.
Temperature
The battery should not freeze. In this case, it loses charge in an unnatural way. That’s why in winter they warm up the car when it’s not in use, in order to keep the battery warm for as long as possible. Car enthusiasts have noticed that in the summer it takes not so much energy to start a car, but in the winter it takes more.
If there is no great need to take the car in the cold, it is better to leave it at home, otherwise you will have to allocate money for repairs or do it yourself, which also takes less than 5 minutes.
Condition of the electrical network
We are talking about leakage currents, since it is this factor that reduces the service life. Leakage currents can be measured using a multimeter. They arise due to errors in the on-board computer and due to incorrect connection and disconnection of the battery from the car (if you first remove the positive terminal).
Corrosion processes
Corrosion occurs mainly on the mesh. It is described as the “softening and falling out” of lead from the plates. This reaction cannot be avoided because electrodes in a lead-acid environment are always reactive. Lead loss is a natural occurrence that can be reduced, but not eliminated. Limiting the discharge depth, reducing the number of cycles, operating at moderate temperatures and controlling overcharging are preventive measures to prevent corrosion.
To reduce corrosion on long-life batteries, manufacturers keep the specific gravity at 1,200 when fully charged, compared to 1,265 or more for high-efficiency lead-acid batteries. A lower specific gravity reduces the specific energy of the battery.
The use of prolonged recharging is another factor contributing to mesh corrosion. This is especially harmful for closed lead-acid systems. Although flooded lead acid has some resistance to overcharging, sealed units must operate at the recommended charge.
Sulfation of battery plates
Sulfation occurs when a lead-acid battery is fully charged. This is typical for starter batteries in cars driven around town with extra load. The engine idling or at low speed cannot charge the battery sufficiently.
Reference. Electric wheelchairs have a similar problem in that users may not charge the battery long enough.
An 8-hour charge at night when the car is not in use is not enough. Even solar cells and wind turbines do not always provide sufficient charge to lead-acid batteries, which can lead to sulfation. The result is short battery life. Only periodic complete discharge can solve the problem.
An alternative solution is to use a lithium-ion battery, which prefers partial charging to full charging. However, Li-ion more than doubles the cost of the battery and is rarely used in cars.
This video gives practical tips on how to extend your battery life by 2 times:
Features of care
The charge level in a car battery must be regularly monitored.
To do this, you can use a voltmeter. But you need to check the readings with the engine off. If the voltage drops noticeably, the battery needs to be recharged. In winter, car battery care should be especially careful. We must not forget that often the cause of problems with car activation is low-quality fuel or oil, as well as injectors and spark plugs. But repeated attempts to start the engine can lead to a deep discharge of the battery.
It is necessary to increase the load on the battery gradually. Also, after turning off the car, be sure to turn off all electrical equipment.
When starting the engine, you do not need to immediately turn on the radio and lights - the battery should run idle for at least 5-7 minutes. In winter, this period should be about 20 minutes.
Maintenance-free batteries require systematic cleaning of the gas valve. In addition, when charging this type of battery, you need to close all its holes.
Serviced models need to adjust the electrolyte level, especially in hot weather. If the level of the substance in the battery decreases, you need to add distilled water.
