Car batteries have a great lifespan of three to five years, but there are things you can do to help yours last as long as possible. Between the work you do at home and the checks the technicians at the dealership do during Ford battery maintenance, you can help prevent your battery from failing.
Ford Battery Maintenance
Get Your Voltage Tested
Make sure you ask for your battery voltage to be tested any time you visit the dealer for other forms of maintenance. If your technician discovers your battery has less than the recommended voltage, then they can investigate and figure out what the problem is. Getting your battery voltage tested and keeping it at the right level is important and can help prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Clean the Terminals
Inspect your battery regularly so you’ll notice if the case changes shape or if corrosion appears on the terminals. Corrosion makes your battery need to work harder, as this flaky, crystal-like buildup increases electrical resistance between the battery post and the terminal. Corrosion can get cleaned off, and if the corrosion keeps coming back quickly, then a visit to the dealer to get your battery checked over is a good idea.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
You want to try and keep your vehicle out of extreme temperatures; both hot and cold. Your battery may work harder when it is very cold outside. You also don’t want the battery in your car to get too hot as this can affect the battery and its longevity.
Longer Distance Drives
Driving longer distances gives your battery enough time to fully recharge. Taking lots of shorter trips instead of longer ones doesn’t give it ample time to get the charge back up. So, if it’s possible, try to limit the amount of quick trips you take.
Get a Battery Load Test
You need to be certain that your battery can charge properly, so make sure getting a battery load test is part of your regular maintenance routine. If the test yields results showing your battery can’t charge the way it should, then your technician can investigate why it’s struggling to charge and look into fixing the problem.
Book a Ford Battery Appointment in Lanham, MD
Come to DARCARS Ford of Lanham for any battery checks you need. Schedule an appointment with our service center by visiting our website today.
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