Happy battery, happy car
The lifespan and performance of your car's battery can be significantly impacted by the weather. Follow these expert tips to keep your battery in top shape throughout the seasons.
Hot weather precautions:
High temperatures can cause batteries to overheat, reducing electrolyte levels and affecting performance. Protect your battery with these simple steps:
Check Electrolyte Levels: Regularly monitor electrolyte levels in your battery and top them up with distilled water if necessary.
Inspect for Swelling: Look at the edges of the battery. If any part is swollen, it may indicate battery failure. Replace the battery in such cases.
Shade Parking: Always try to park your car in a shaded area. This not only keeps the vehicle cooler but also enhances battery longevity.
Monsoon Battery Care
During the rainy season, your battery requires special attention:
Pre-Rain Checkup: Before the rains start, have your car’s battery and other components thoroughly checked.
Humidity Check: If you live in a humid area and plan to park your car for an extended period, consider removing the battery and storing it in a safe place. Humidity can cause corrosion.
Important paperwork
In India, when dealing with car batteries, here are some essential paperwork you need to be aware of:
- Always obtain an invoice/bill of sale for your new battery with model, serial number, and purchase date.
- Request a warranty card that outlines the coverage period (typically 1-4 years).
- Register the battery online if the manufacturer requires you to do it.
- Ensure proper disposal of your old battery through an authorised dealer or recycling center.
- For battery recycling, keep any receipts or documentation related to the battery disposal, as it might be required in case of an audit or compliance check.
General tips
Avoid running on battery alone: Refrain from running your car solely on battery power when stationary. In case the battery gets completely drained, it will not be possible to start the car. Attempting to ‘jump start’ the vehicle could will lead to significant damage.
Lights off: Ensure headlamps and interior lights are turned off when exiting and locking your car. Most modern cars have a reminder for headlamps but not for the interior lights.
