The most common cause of vehicle breakdown is battery failure, yet many drivers under-estimate the importance of regular battery checks. It is often up to garages and workshops to provide battery support and maintenance, with technicians playing a crucial role in helping customers to keep vehicles running smoothly. Assessing battery health during routine servicing allows any potential issues to be identified and dealt with before they have the chance to become major problems. Effective battery maintenance is key when it comes to optimising performance and driving customer satisfaction. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for battery care and handling and direct any questions to your battery professional. According to the experts at leading manufacturer EnerSys, the company behind the high-performance ODYSSEY battery, these are the most important steps for vehicle technicians to take when it comes to battery maintenance. 1. Regular Inspection Inspecting the battery during routine vehicle servicing is crucial. When a vehicle comes into the workshop for servicing, always take the time to examine the battery case, cover, terminals and cables for visible damage and signs of wear. Look for any indication of corrosion, which can generally be identified by a build-up of flaky green or white coloured material around the battery terminal. Any corrosion should be removed immediately. Ensure all battery-related hardware is tight, including the terminals and holddowns. 2. Keeping the Battery Clean Dirt, corrosion and debris build up can all affect battery performance, so regular cleaning is essential. Use warm water to clean the battery. If there is any presence of acid residue, create a mixture of one part baking soda to three parts water. Apply the mixture until foaming stops, then rinse. Do not use any detergents on batteries as they are made of a plastic that can break down and become brittle if cleaning solutions are applied. 3. Testing State of Charge (SOC) To extend the life of a vehicle battery, it must be adequately charged. Simple testing can be performed to determine the battery’s SOC. To 36 AFTERMARKET MAY 2024 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net MASTERING VEHICLE BATTERY MAINTENANCE Odyssey takes you on the journey towards better understanding batteries, so you can to apply this knowledge in your business
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