October is Car Care Month and a good time to check the condition of your car by repairing your car's interior as needed. This includes everything from the cabin air filter, tires, brakes, automatic locks and windshield wiper fluid to the battery – responsible for not only starting the engine but keeping the interior electronics and accessories running.
As always, be sure to follow the manufacturer's care guidelines and direct any questions to your battery technician.
DO NOT overcharge and/or Undercharge the Battery
Overcharging the battery can cause serious overheating and in lead acid batteries that are flooded, the accumulation of gases can cause the battery to leak. Avoid using a flooded battery charger or flooded battery mode, or any charger that will charge at a voltage greater than 14.8 volts on any AGM battery.
An undercharged battery means that it is not receiving enough charge to return it to full State of Charge (SOC). This can cause a number of problems in battery performance including capacity depletion, leaching, terminal corrosion and overcharging.
PERFORM Routine Maintenance Checks
Regularly checking battery maintenance can help with its longevity and productivity. This includes things like checking the SOC of the battery, checking the case, terminals, cables and fittings for damage, wear and contamination and checking the battery for signs of corrosion.
If the battery needs to be replaced, be sure to disconnect all wires from the battery before removing it from the vehicle.
DO NOT overheat or Discharge the Battery
The environment in which the battery resides – whether it sits idle or is installed in a vehicle that endures adverse weather conditions – will affect its overall performance.
For example, if you store the battery in a place that can reach freezing temperatures, such as a garage during the winter, you run the risk of having a frozen battery, if it is not at full SOC. Another visible sign of a frozen battery is that the sides will start to bend. If this happens, the battery cannot be repaired and must be replaced immediately.
On the other hand, an overheated battery can accelerate the onset of premature failure. Excessive heat can reduce battery life due to water loss; therefore, if you are using a flooded lead acid battery, make sure it is recharged as directed and that the battery itself is properly ventilated. Keeping a fully charged car battery on a continuous charge cycle can also overheat the battery and shorten its normal lifespan.
ASK Questions
You are a customer and deserve the highest level of service from your battery manufacturer so don't be afraid to ask questions. The last thing you would want to learn is that you bought the wrong model or battery chemistry because you were too hesitant to talk about any uncertainty.
DO NOT install the wrong battery
It is important that when you install a new battery in your vehicle, it is firmly secured in its mounting bracket. An unprotected battery can become completely loose while driving, causing battery damage and the risk of short circuits that can lead to an accident when off-road.
DO Over Battery If Needed
If the fluid level is low in your flooded lead acid battery, it is considered best practice to add distilled water based on the manufacturer's guidelines.
DO NOT BATTERY WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR
You should not expect your car alternator to replace a failed battery. It is considered best practice to use an external charger for best results.
Also, for vehicles that are stored for a long time, do not expect them to start periodically for the purpose of recharging the battery using the alternator. Also, try using an external charger to recharge the battery while in long-term storage.
DO Think about ODYSSEY® Batteries for Your Next Investment
THE ODYSSEY® batteries are made with Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology that can be made smaller than the plates installed in lead acid batteries filled with water, therefore entering the same size to provide more space. This allows more electrochemical reactions with the electrolyte to produce more energy than conventional batteries of comparable size. In addition to the great power to launch, the ODYSSEY® batteries provide plenty of power for deep cycling, with motor pulses of up to 3,125 amps for five seconds, twice as much as equivalent-sized lead-acid batteries. It also features a sealed Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) construction, which packs solid plates into absorbent fiberglass separators that hold the electrolyte and make the batteries repairable. Rugged, AGM construction and ODYSSEY spill-proof design® batteries also protect against high impact shocks and mechanical vibrations, which helps to provide a long service life.
Backed by the industry's leading warranty, ODYSSEY® batteries feature a two-year storage life at 77°F (25°C) and are available in a variety of sizes with up to 2,250 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).
Check out our websites at www.odysseybattery.com and www.eu.odysseybattery.com for the latest ODYSSEY® Global battery news and updates.
You can also connect with us on social media using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY by following us on the following regionally based platforms:
United States – Instagram, X and Facebook
European Union – Instagram and Facebook
About EnerSys
EnerSys, a world leader in energy storage solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and dynamic energy batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor enclosure solutions to customers around the world. The company goes to market with four business lines: Energy Systems, Dynamic Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which includes energy conversion, energy distribution, energy storage, and closed spaces, are used in the telecommunications, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supply, and many applications that require stored energy solutions. Motive batteries and chargers are used in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, heavy duty trucks, advanced vehicles, medical and defense applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for a variety of applications including demand reduction, energy conservation, and rapid charging of electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in more than 100 countries through its global sales and manufacturing facilities. More information about EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
Sustainability
Sustainability at EnerSys is more than just the benefits and impact of our products. Our commitment to sustainability includes many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is an important part of how we manage our operations. Reducing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: