Car Battery Maintenance and Repair Tips To Avoid Car Breakdowns

Did you know? According to a survey conducted by Bosch in 2021 to 350 Malaysians aged 18-55, seven in 10 vehicle breakdowns in Malaysia were caused by battery malfunction, while engine and wiring issues came in second and third respectively.

Car batteries are an important part of a vehicle because they provide the necessary power to start the engine and operate various electrical components. A car battery's longevity can be increased by regular maintenance and prompt repair.

Best keep in mind, a poorly maintained car battery could cause not only an inconvenience but also pose safety risks to the driver and his or her passengers, especially when the breakdown happens in the middle of traffic or in a secluded area

In this article, we'll go over some essential tips for maintaining and repairing car batteries, such as checking the terminals, ensuring proper battery charging, and identifying potential warning signs of a failing battery. Drivers can keep their car batteries in good condition by following these tips and avoiding costly repairs or replacements.

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If you understand how car batteries work, be it maintenance-free or lead-acid batteries, they store electricity from voltage created by a chemical reaction from the positive and negative plates on the battery. The electricity will then flow into the car’s circuit to your car’s starter, radio or car entertainment set, lights, and so on.

Like other batteries, every time your car batteries charge and discharge over time, the acid (specifically in lead-acid batteries) used as the solution becomes weaker and will no longer be able to discharge the required voltage.

So, when your vehicle won’t start, there’s a 70 percent chance that it’s due to battery malfunction or in layman’s terms, a “dead” battery. As the car battery nears the end of its service life, the charge and discharge mechanism cannot be done at full capacity, and risk not running your car at its optimum performance. This is when the battery is truly dead and needs to be replaced with a new one.

If the battery is not dead, you can jump-start the battery by connecting another fully charged battery. When this happens, drive your car for 30 minutes after the jump-start to allow the battery to be fully charged again.

What should you consider when buying a car battery? How do you know which battery is right for your car or are they all the same?

The quick answer is… not all batteries are the same. When the time comes, you need to know what battery group size your car is using, the types of battery you want to use ― whether dry cell or wet cell batteries, how disciplined you are at maintaining the batteries or if you want to consider lower maintenance batteries in the future. If you would like to know the answers, you can approach any car mechanics during your scheduled car servicing and get their expert advice.

It would be very beneficial to know the several warning signs that indicate that your car battery may be about to die:

1. Slow engine crank: If it takes longer to start the engine than usual, it could be a sign that the battery is weak.

2. Dimming lights: If the lights in the car are dimming or flickering, it may be a sign that the battery is failing.

3. Electrical issues: If the car's electrical components are not functioning properly, such as the radio, power windows, or air conditioning, it may be a sign that the battery is failing.

4. Warning lights on the dashboard: Some cars have warning lights on the dashboard that indicate a problem with the battery or charging system.

5. Old age: If the battery is more than three years old, it may be time to replace it, even if there are no obvious signs of failure.

It's a good idea to have a professional check your battery regularly to identify any potential issues and perform any necessary repairs or maintenance. If you experience any of the above warning signs, it's important to have the battery and charging system checked as soon as possible to avoid a potential breakdown.

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