Stay Charged! Battery Facts and Tips From Meineke Car Care Centers

Stay Charged! Battery Facts and Tips From Meineke Car Care Centers

Every year, millions of American motorists are left stranded due to dead car battery. In honor of National Battery Day on February 18th Meineke shares tips and advice to help you get the most from your car’s battery.  If your car has ever failed to start, you know first-hand how frustrating it can be.

But there’s good news: While dead batteries happen, and are not totally preventable, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your battery remains fully charged, providing power to your vehicle for as long as possible. We’ll start with five pointers:

• Know the signs of a dying or dead battery. If yours is slow to turn over, or if the lights on your dashboard seem to be dimming, that means you may have a battery that’s on its last limb. A visual inspection of your battery can also help you identify potential problems, like corrosion or a swollen battery.
• Before attempting to repair or replace the battery, it’s important to learn the cause of failure. These might include leaving your headlights on overnight, not starting the car for a long period of time, or using the radio when the vehicle isn’t running. Battery age, poor battery maintenance, and even freezing temperatures can also be problematic.
• Make sure you know how to charge your car battery correctly—if you’re unsure, don’t risk it. Take it to your trusted, local vehicle repair partner to have the battery replaced by a professional.
• Invest in routine maintenance for your car battery, as well; every time you go in for an oil change or tire rotation, ask for a battery safety check.
• Make sure you know a trusted technician who can help you deal with battery issues as they arise; your local Meineke shop would be more than happy to assist, of course.

Take a look at this infographic from the car care experts for more car battery advice and tips. Use this information to keep your battery charged and vehicle operating smoothly.