Your vehicle’s battery is the heart of its electrical system—powering everything from the engine start to lights and electronics. At Sallas Auto Repair, serving Overland Park, KS and Kansas City, MO, we want to help you understand how to keep your car battery healthy, avoid corrosion, and extend its lifespan.
What Causes Battery Corrosion?
One of the most common issues with car batteries is corrosion around the terminals. Corrosion looks like a white, ashy buildup on the battery posts and cable connectors. It happens when the battery acid reacts with the metal terminals, which can be accelerated by heat, moisture, and age.
Corrosion can cause poor electrical connections, leading to problems like slow engine cranks, dim lights, or even a no-start condition. If left unchecked, corrosion can damage the battery cables and reduce your battery’s performance.
Tips to Prolong Your Car Battery Life
Taking simple preventative steps can help you avoid premature battery failure:
- Keep Terminals Clean: Regularly inspect and clean your battery terminals to remove corrosion. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water and a wire brush to gently clean the terminals.
- Ensure Tight Connections: Loose battery cables can cause electrical issues and increase corrosion risk. Make sure the terminals are securely tightened.
- Limit Short Trips: Frequent short trips prevent your battery from fully charging. Try to take longer drives occasionally to keep the battery charged.
- Turn Off Electronics When Idling: Devices like radios, lights, and chargers drain your battery if left on while the engine is off.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Heat accelerates battery corrosion and wear, while extreme cold reduces battery capacity. Whenever possible, park in shaded or covered areas.
- Regular Battery Testing: Have your battery tested during routine vehicle maintenance at Sallas Auto Repair to catch early signs of wear before failure occurs.
When to Replace Your Battery
Most car batteries last between 3 to 5 years. Signs it’s time for a new battery include slow starts, dimming lights, or frequent jump-starts. Our team at Sallas Auto Repair can test your battery’s health and recommend replacement if needed—using high-quality batteries that fit your vehicle’s needs.
Trust Sallas Auto Repair for Expert Battery Service
If you’re experiencing battery issues or want to schedule a battery inspection, bring your vehicle to Sallas Auto Repair. Our ASE-certified technicians in Overland Park and Kansas City provide honest diagnostics, cleaning, and battery replacement services to keep your vehicle reliable.