Considerations When Buying a Battery
When purchasing a new car battery, there are a few details you should consider before making a decision. Batteries have various traits you need to keep on eye on in order to make the best decision. When you bring your vehicle in for an inspection, a Ford technician can recommend the best battery type for you. You can also take advantage of our Ford Motorcraft battery coupon.Maintaining a Car Battery
Modern car batteries are not maintained like other parts of vehicles. Instead, batteries are typically left alone until the end of their life cycle. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to potentially prolong the life of your battery.- STEP 1
- STEP 2
- STEP 3
- STEP 4
Firstly, you can check the cables for any corrosion they have may have collected. Corrosion may appear later on in your battery’s life, but it is important to remove it when possible. You can use a brush and battery cleaner to do this. If you are unable to find battery cleaner, then baking soda and water is a good alternative.
Secondly, make sure your battery is secured in its place. A battery capable of moving or shaking around while you are driving can be detrimental to its health. Circuits could short within your battery, which would only lead to a shorter life span.
Thirdly, turn off all lights and electronics when exiting the vehicle. Headlights or a glovebox light can lead to the battery losing its charge. Batteries naturally lose their charge over time. Leaving your headlights on will lead to the battery’s shorter life.
Finally, you can maintain your battery’s life by minimizing its exposure to heat. The cold can have a similar effect on the battery’s quality. Most importantly, the reason batteries die in the middle of winter is because of the damage they receive in the summer. Extreme heat will increase the evaporation rate of water in the cells. Even sealed top batteries will have this issue. As you can see, there are several ways of maintaining your battery’s health. If you are ever unsure about replacing your battery, contact a Ford dealership to schedule an appointment. A certified technician will talk to you about what should be done.