When it comes to taking care of your car in Dubai, nothing is more important than knowing your car battery is maintained. The climate and conditions can have a massive impact on how well the battery performs. Knowing when to avail car battery replacement can save you the hassle of breaking down unexpectedly or paying for expensive repairs.
If your battery has crossed the 3-year mark, I’m afraid it is time to start making plans for a car battery replacement. Though you may be able to jump-start it, the underlying issues are likely to resurface. You will have to be prepared to continue jump-starting it until you are able to give it a proper send-off. Indicators that you need car battery replacement include:
- Battery Age: Car batteries commonly only last 3-4 years. Your battery will die even sooner if you live in an area with intense heat, as the heat destroys batteries from the inside out.
- Dashboard Light: In many cases, your battery-shaped dashboard light will indicate the need for a battery service or replacement.
- Corrosion: Do you notice the battery terminal ends corroded? Corrosion can cause premature battery failure. In some cases, a mechanic can service your battery to avoid replacement. Speak with your mechanic to see if this is an option for you.
- Car Left Sitting: Car batteries recharge while you are driving. If you leave your car sitting for a month or two, the battery will likely die while you are gone. In some cases, these batteries can be revived. However, the longer you let it sit, the more likely it is that you will need a replacement.
Imagine if your vehicle suddenly stopped functioning due to a dead battery in the middle of nowhere. Or perhaps you’ve tried starting your car but realised it has dimmed lights and sluggish acceleration. Such difficulties could be the result of a problem called battery terminal corrosion and need immediate attention or car battery replacement service.
While it may sound daunting, battery terminal corrosion is something deal with pretty easily. Just think of it like a slow build-up of rust on your keys or coins. But in this case, it’s building up on the parts of your battery and car that help the electricity flow.
Although this may look harmless, this rust can be a major problem. Corrosion itself acts as an insulator, which prevents easy electric current from the battery to the entire electrical system of the car. This can cause many problems, including:
- Hard start: The car has trouble coming into life, which causes many efforts.
- Dim Lights: Headlights and interior lights may appear more dimmer than normal.
- Sluggish Performance: The car may lack strength and acceleration.
- Electrical problems: Other electrical components, such as radio, power window and air conditioning, may be malfunctioned.
Preventing battery terminal corrosion is easier than fixing it. Here are some simple steps you can practice for a smooth ride.
- Keep your battery clean: Cleaning battery terminals and removing dirt and corrosive substances around them will be facilitated.
- Apply a protective coating: Apply a layer of Vaseline or battery lubricant on terminals after cleaning.
- Use the battery terminal cover: Battery terminal cap can be found at most automotive stores and help keep the moisture and dirt out.
- Check the battery regularly: Check your battery for any signal of rust regularly, as it can prevent further issues from catching it quickly.
- Change the old battery: If in any case the battery is old and can be leaked, then it is good to take advantage of the car battery replacement service by experts to prevent rust and ensure that the electrical system of care is working.
