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Your car battery is an essential part of your vehicle’s vital componentry. It’s not just the accessories you’ve come to love in your car. No, it’s essential in engaging your starter motor and starting your car. Without it, you’re not going anywhere. As such, it’s an important part of your regular maintenance efforts.

Want to avoid the dreaded rhythmic clicking or silence of a dead battery? Use these tips to keep your car battery working

If you drive your car regularly, your vehicle’s charging system likely keeps your battery in a healthy range. See, your battery powers your starter, which turns your engine over. Then your alternator generates electric current which keeps your battery charged and powers your vehicle’s electricals and accessories as you operate your vehicle.

  • Keep your battery on a tender/maintainer when not in use
  • Check your terminals and connections for corrosion and cleanliness
  • Get your charging system checked from time to time
  • Replace your battery rather than cling to an old, past-its-prime unit
  • If you must jump your battery, run your vehicle long enough to allow the alternator to do its work

If you don’t drive your car, your battery may lose enough charge that it can’t start your engine or drive your alternator. I recommend using a battery tender/maintainer to get your battery to a healthy range and keep it there, especially when you don’t drive often. Furthermore, a tender/maintainer can keep your battery in a healthy range in cold weather, where battery capacities drop precipitously. 

That said, you should check your battery terminals and connections for corrosion, cleanliness, and in some cases, damage. Anything keeping current from traveling as intended could result in improper operation. If you notice corrosion on your terminals, consider disconnecting your battery and using a battery terminal cleaner or a baking soda and water cocktail. 

In addition to keeping your battery and connections clean and operational, you should get your charging system checked from time to time. You can do this yourself with a voltage and alternator output test. Or you can take your vehicle, assuming it runs, to an auto parts store, like AutoZone, for a free charging system check.

However, should your tests reveal a bad battery, it might be better to cut your losses. A new battery with a warranty is a much better proposition long-term than trying to keep a bad battery operational. 

Finally, if your battery goes flat and you jump it with another vehicle, run your vehicle. Your alternator needs time to keep the juice flowing to your battery. Shutting your vehicle too soon will keep your battery too weak to start your engine.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).