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How to save your battery is a dilemma that has been discussed by manufacturers and users for years. One of the main topics for all of us who drive cars is how to protect and extend the life of the battery. What few people know is that batteries themselves are more affected by summer heat than low temperatures in winter.

Provera rada akumulatora

One thing is certain, the majority of problems arise from inadequate use. Some owners change their battery every year; on the other hand, some owners use it up to 5-6 years. What is not good is that a large number of drivers buy batteries with a larger capacity because they think that in this way the power reserve will be significantly higher. We can say with certainty that this is just as bad as buying a battery with a smaller capacity than prescribed. Alternators vary from model to model as well as engine to engine, so they simply cannot charge a battery of larger capacity for which they are not designed. The advice is to buy the battery with the capacity and characteristics prescribed by the car manufacturer.

Interestingly, a voltage of 10.5 volts is considered a deep discharge, while a full battery has a voltage of 12.72 volts. When a battery reaches a voltage of 12.6 volts, it simply means that it is working at 85% capacity. At 12.4 volts, it only works at 65%.

When there is a deep discharge of your battery, sulfation occurs (the formation of lead sulfate on the plates) and then the acid concentration decreases and corrosion occurs on the cell plates. The process itself leads to a reduction in the number of charging and discharging cycles.

Battery maintenance

Maintaining a battery used to pose a problem and require a lot of work. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, intervention is needed less. There is an old saying that a battery gets old in summer and dies in winter. The logic behind this saying is its previously mentioned construction; at high temperatures water evaporates from the electrolyte and its level decreases significantly. This is also the reason why a battery cannot operate smoothly.

It is very important to periodically remove the battery caps and check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, top up with distilled water. A clear sign that everything is in order is when the plates are completely submerged in electrolytes and covered. The electrolyte level should be about 10 mm above the plates themselves. This should be done very carefully and it is advised that the process itself should be performed by a professional. Newer cars have VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery) batteries which do not require any maintenance.

It is also recommended by the manufacturer to check your battery once or twice a year to prevent it from suddenly failing. You can check your battery completely free of charge in all KIT Commerce retail stores.