It is fundamental to periodically carry out maintenance on your car battery to ensure correct operation and to guarantee that this essential component has long life.
A car battery is the nerve centre that provides the energy for starting and running a car’s electrical services. It must always be able to supply 12 V voltage in the required amperage which, especially when starting the vehicle, is very high.
Modern batteries are sealed so that they don’t need to be topped up with distilled water as in the past, and the car owner’s task is limited to the external maintenance of the terminals and constant maintenance of the battery charge.
Modern car batteries also require less maintenance in consideration of the fact that the battery used to be easily accessible in the engine compartment, while today it can also be in different parts of the car and may not be as easy to access for maintenance.
Battery life
Standard car batteries have a life that varies between three and six years. The most influential factor for shorter car battery life is when a car is used only occasionally and for short distances. In fact, car batteries slowly discharge when they are not constantly used and recharged by the alternator.
Sulphation
If not used regularly, the internal elements of the batteries can undergo sulphation, which irreparably damages their operation. So the first rule is that you must periodically recharge the battery. Especially if the use of the car is limited, this should be done using a good electronic car battery charger that doses the charging current according to the need of the battery itself. Some chargers are also able to act on sulphation, if it is not too advanced.
Beware of low temperatures
A second negative factor for car batteries is how long they have been left in cars that are constantly outdoors, especially in winter and in adverse environmental conditions such as low temperatures or high humidity. The former cause a faster discharge, therefore the charge must be checked more frequently. The latter can lower the quality of the contacts between the battery poles and the terminals of the power supply cables.
Car battery maintenance: which products to use?
We can effectively help with the use of two products, using them both together and separately.
With WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner applied on the poles and terminals of the car battery, we can effectively eliminate oil, deposits of grease and sludge. The product quickly penetrates into the most difficult to reach areas, drying quickly and without leaving residues. It optimally restores electrical conductivity by eliminating low contact areas. Its rapid evaporation formula leaves no residue.
With WD-40 Multi-Use we can protect the metal from rust and corrosion, as it penetrates and lubricates the parts in contact, eliminating and protecting any surface from humidity. It also removes grease and tar stains from any non-porous surface. The connections are lubricated cleanly without attracting dust and dirt and it protects non-porous metal surfaces from rust and corrosion.
To follow all the news of WD-40 Africa, follow us on Facebook and Instagram !
