Whether you’ve been caught out with a flat battery one too many times or you just want to increase your car’s battery life well into the future, proper maintenance is always the answer.

At Mantello Suzuki, we love helping customers navigate the world of car maintenance - after all, the more you know, the better. Maintaining your car battery in 2022 doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve put together these simple car battery maintenance tips for you so that whatever type of vehicle you have, your battery is happy.

Use a voltmeter

To test your battery voltage, you can either take your car to a qualified mechanic for a service or a check-up or purchase a voltmeter. They’re super simple to use and provide an accurate reading for your car’s battery.

Just connect the positive voltmeter lead to the positive terminal on your battery, and the same with the negative. This should only be done once your car has been turned off for at least 12 hours. After connecting the leads, you’ll receive a reading, which should be between 12.4 and 12.8 volts. If it’s outside this range, take the car to a mechanic for expert advice.

Keep it clean

Maintaining your car battery also involves a little cleaning. Battery terminals work best when they are free of dirt, grime and corrosion. Cleaning your battery every six months is also a good time to check for damage and cracks which means your battery should be replaced.

Run your engine

Car batteries keep charging using an alternator. This means that, while your engine is running, there are mechanisms in place to create kinetic energy that becomes transferable and tops up your battery.

Part of maintaining your car properly is ensuring your car doesn’t go unused for days at a time, because then the battery can go flat. Taking your car out for a 30-minute drive each week will ensure the engine gets warmed up and the fluids are well circulated.

Protect your car from extreme weather

Car batteries are most likely to have problems in colder weather, as low temperatures can affect the electrolytes in the battery fluid. Keeping your car in an underground car park or a covered garage area can help protect your car from all sorts of problems – including a flat battery.

In the same way, very high temperatures can damage your car battery, so even when you’re out and about, parking your car in shade will prevent water loss, heat distortion and, ultimately, battery damage.

Get your car serviced

Getting your car serviced according to the maintenance schedule set out in your car’s handbook ensures that, not only the battery, but your entire vehicle is in the best condition possible to go the distance. Oils, coolants and fluids will be topped up and things like tyres and brake pads will be checked for safety.

At Mantello Suzuki Roxburgh Park we’re always here to help and advise you on how to take care of your new vehicle. We’re renowned for our technical expertise and friendly approach.

Got a question? Contact us today on (03) 9930 4444