Did you know you can take steps to extend the life of your battery and prevent it from dying? The 12-volt battery in your vehicle is a critical component that provides the necessary electrical power for starting your engine and operating your vehicle’s electrical systems. It’s essential to take care of your battery - no matter the season - to ensure your car runs smoothly.
What do we mean by "Maintenance"?
Maintenance means keeping all the systems and features functioning as closely as possible to the manufacturer’s original design intentions. Routine maintenance should be an ongoing process that begins when the vehicle is new. Proactively tending to your vehicle’s maintenance needs is likely to help your vehicle start, run, and stop as the manufacturer intended, so you get the maximum amount of performance, reliability, and service life. Periodic inspections of the vehicle’s systems are the easiest way to monitor its health.
Why should you prioritize taking care of your vehicle’s battery?
Regular inspection of your vehicle's 12-volt battery is crucial to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. A malfunctioning battery can cause various electrical systems in your vehicle to fail, including the airbags and anti-lock brakes. This can compromise your safety and that of your passengers. It is important to perform regular maintenance on your battery to ensure it is in good condition and to prevent potential safety concerns.
Follow these three recommended tips to maintain your 12-volt battery:
1. Have the battery checked regularly: When the vehicle is serviced, ensure that your local repair facility checks the battery’s voltage, resistance, and Cold Cranking Capacity of the battery and advises you on its condition.
2. Clean the battery terminals: Dirty battery terminals can cause electrical resistance, leading to poor battery performance. Clean the terminal with a wire brush and apply a battery terminal protector to prevent corrosion.
3. Check the battery age: The average battery lasts 3-5 years in today’s vehicles. Most vehicles have a date code that can determine their age or you can check your service records for the last time it was replaced.
And remember - It’s important to maintain your battery in every season. It’s the high underhood temperatures during the summertime that will cause battery wear. We just don’t notice it until the temperature drops and the engine is harder to turn over. Additionally, winter conditions can cause corrosion on those battery terminals.
ACDelco Roadside Assistance Program - We have you covered! If you run into a situation where you need a battery jump-start, visit one of our ACDelco Professional Service Centre shops and ask about our Roadside Assistance Program.
See what ACDelco has to offer by checking out the battery page or the battery catalogue.