The Best Car Battery Service in Midland, MI

The winter tide has finally turned, and the days are getting longer again. Spring is quickly approaching, but the mornings are still pretty cold. I recently noticed that my car has been harder to start lately, which got me thinking. When was the last time I performed battery maintenance? Are the chilly mornings in Midland, MI, shortening my battery life, or are rust and corrosion reducing my car battery performance? Below is some valuable information about the standard 12-volt car battery, including routine maintenance tips.

How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

Generally speaking, a standard 12-volt car battery can last anywhere from 3 to 6 years with routine maintenance. Several factors can affect battery life. It’s important to remember that car batteries cannot provide enough electrical energy to start the engine when their charge gets low. The following circumstances may negatively impact your vehicle’s battery performance:

• External electronic devices (phone chargers, entertainment accessories, etc.)
• Extreme weather
• Faulty components (alternator, cables, fuses, onboard computer, etc.)
• Frequent short trips
• Improper maintenance
• Vehicle make, model, year

Prolong Car Battery Life

To help prolong the life of your car battery, try to drive for 20 minutes (or more) without turning off the engine at least once a week. Make it a habit to turn off the A/C and unplug electronic devices (like phone chargers, Bluetooth, etc.) before turning off the engine. And always double-check that you turned off the headlights and interior cabin lights before leaving your car.

Car Battery: Routine Maintenance in Midland, MI

Performing routine car battery maintenance may improve its performance and increase its lifespan. Below are some simple steps you can take at home or schedule an appointment with your auto technician.

Clean Corrosion From Battery Terminals

Battery terminals are the lead posts commonly found on the top of the 12-volt battery in your car’s engine compartment. A few manufacturers design batteries with terminals on the battery case’s side. Regardless of their location, these posts accumulate corrosion in the form of scale and rust. Excess corrosion can reduce connectivity or power flow from the battery to the rest of your vehicle. Regularly clean your battery terminals with baking soda and distilled water mixture to avoid performance issues. After coating the terminals with the solution, lightly scrub them with a nylon bristle brush. Perform this process until all the corrosion dissolves. Finally, thoroughly rinse the posts with cool, clean water.

Check Battery Cables

Battery cables transfer the electric energy stored in the battery to the engine and necessary components to power electronic devices within the car. The cables must maintain a secure attachment to the terminals at all times. Tighten loose battery cable connections.

Inspect Electrolyte Levels

Several car battery types are available, but the ‘wet cell’ battery is a common one. In general, there are six cells within the outer plastic case. They contain lead plates and an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid. You can monitor and service some wet cell car batteries when the electrolyte levels get low. Once the electrolyte solution becomes too low, the battery cannot hold a sufficient charge to operate your vehicle. To remedy this situation, add distilled water to the electrolyte solution to increase the fluid level.

Alternatively, on cars with a sealed or ‘no maintenance’ battery, there is no option to add distilled water when electrolyte levels are low. Batteries of this type require replacement once they reach the end of their life.

Test Battery Charge

Closely monitor your car battery and recharge it when it falls below the required 12.6 volts. A simple and inexpensive multi-meter tool can help you voltage test your car’s battery to determine if it holds a proper charge. Monitoring your vehicle’s battery health is a great preventative measure to avoid an unexpected dead battery.

Car Battery Service in Midland, MI

Our expertise has earned us a stellar reputation for excellence. You can rest assured you’re in good hands when you bring your car to All A’s Automotive in Midland, MI. We will quickly perform car battery service on your vehicle and get you back on the road in no time. Our technicians will check your battery cables, clean corrosion from the battery terminals, and test the battery charge to determine how much battery life is left. When it is time for a replacement, we will guide you in the right direction.

Schedule Service

Call us at (989) 631-4672 or visit us online to make an appointment for your car battery service today!