How to maintain your battery

1) What can we do to keep our batteries in a good state?
Always ensure that your battery is clean. Any dirt or acid fumes that accumulate on the top of a battery must be cleaned off to avoid conducting paths between positive and negative lugs.

2) How often should you check the water?
Once every three months with a new battery. Once a week, if the battery is older than 1½ years.

3) How do you remove the battery cap to add the water?
Batteries have different types of caps.
Some have caps you can unscrew with your fingers, some you need to use a coin to unscrew them and others you can pull off with your hand.

4) Does it matter if you use tap water or distilled water?
Yes. You should use distilled water since it lacks the high mineral content present in tap water.
Tap water contains high amounts of lime.
The lime settles in the battery compartment causing the development of a lime cell within the battery and inhibits the proper operation of the lead acid cell.

5) How much water should you put in?
Fill in water just a quarter of an inch from the battery cells.

6) What happens if you over fill the battery?
If you put too much water in the battery, when the car is started, the acid will spill.
The reaction inside the battery when the car starts causes the water level to rise.
If there is too much water in the battery, the rising water level from the reaction will cause the water to overflow. This causes valuable acid inside the battery to be lost.

7) What happens if the water runs too low?
Two serious problems occur by running the water level too low.
There is an increase in heat and a deterioration of battery plates.
This restricts the battery from charging and destroys the battery plates. Just like overcharging, this destruction can take place in a matter of five months.

8) When should you check the voltage?
You should check the voltage if the battery light indicator on your dashboard remains on after starting the car. The light may also flash while driving.

9) What should the voltage read?
For modern gas cars it is suggested that the voltage be 20 percent more than the battery’s voltage when the car is running.
For example, with a 12-volt battery, the voltage reading when the car is on should be 14,4 volts.

10) What may be the cause of a low voltage reading?
A low charging rate from the alternator, a malfunctioning charging system or a defective battery.

11) How do you know when the battery needs changing?
You need to take it to a battery specialist and have it tested.
The specialist will check if the battery is serviced properly. (i.e. checks the water level, voltage and its ability to deliver current)

12) Generally how often does it need changing?
Exide batteries have a 3½-year lifespan.

13) How can I extend the life of the battery?
Make sure the battery is properly serviced. Ensure that the water level is checked regularly.
The battery terminal and leads should always be clean to ensure a good connection
The battery should be properly installed and should be secured by hold down clamps to prevent it from rocking.

The bumps caused by driving through potholes will knock about 6-8 months off the life of the battery.
Install the appropriate battery to meet the power requirements of your vehicle.

14) What causes the battery to lose power?
When the car is running, the car’s alternator recharges the battery.
If you do anything to use the battery’s power faster than it is being replaced, you will drain the battery.

High-powered amplifiers for car stereos are often the culprits of battery drain.