Save Money on Your New Car Battery

Do you want to know how to save money on your new car battery?

Two of the main reasons for reduced battery life are excess heat and overcharging. Heat evaporates battery fluid and this may damage the battery's internal structure. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That usually means a slow death for a battery.

Although there may be a greater number of road service call-outs in cold weather for dead batteries, that may be because battery output is reduced by the temperature slowing the electro-chemical reaction that provides the battery's power.  Colder temperatures also increase engine oil viscosity, making the engine harder for the battery to turn over.

Various reports suggest that an average of one in four vehicles gets a new battery each year.

Eventually all batteries must be replaced, but having to change a battery prematurely can involve the cost of a road service assistance call and a new battery, as well as the inconvenience.

To maximise the life of your new battery:

1. Ensure that the electrical system is charging correctly - overcharging can damage a battery
2. If your battery is the type that needs to be topped up, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water, not tap water, when necessary.
3. Always replace a battery with one of equal or higher rating as the one originally specified by the car manufacturer.
4. Keep the battery terminals clean. Accumulated dirt may become a conductor, which drains battery power. Corrosion accumulation on battery terminals becomes an insulator, reducing current flow.