How to Care for Your Mazda Car Battery

Mazda cars are renowned for their reliability, practicability, style, and high safety standards. However, car battery issues are easy to forget until the day you have to jumpstart your car. The good news is that if your Mazda car battery is well cared for and is in the best shape, you’ll hardly have to worry about roadside breakdowns. Keep reading to learn how to care for your Mazda car battery.

Key Takeaways:

• Your Mazda car battery is an essential part of your car and will likely need to be checked twice every year to ensure there are no signs of damage.
• Clean the battery terminals and test your battery voltage regularly.
• Don’t use electronic accessories when the engine isn’t running- accessories can drain the battery.
• A car battery will typically last between 3-7 years, after which it needs to be replaced.

Limit Short Rides

A short, quick ride prevents your vehicle’s battery from fully charging. The good news is that you can maintain your car’s battery power by driving it frequently and for extended periods. So, if possible, take the car out for a 30-minute drive at least once a week to warm up the engine and circulate the car fluids. But if you don’t use your car often, you may want to consider investing in a portable car battery charger. These portable chargers can jumpstart your Mazda car battery without another car in case you’re stranded.

Test Your Battery Voltage Regularly

Proactively testing your battery voltage can save you from a battery failure or a breakdown while on the road. There are handy at-home devices available on the market if you need to complete a test between car maintenance services. The simplest way to test your battery’s voltage is by using a voltmeter. A digital voltmeter is the easiest to use if you’re buying a voltmeter. And for the most accurate reading, complete the voltage test at least twelve hours after the vehicle has been turned off.

Avoid Using Electronics Accessories When the Engine Isn’t Running

Keeping your interior lights or headlights on or turning the ignition on to run the infotainment system without starting the engine can drain the car battery. That’s because the car’s alternator is shut down when the engine is switched off, so the accessories will drain power from the car’s battery instead. To avoid this, always switch everything off whenever you exit your car.

Essential Note: Always lock the car when you leave it. That’s not just for security reasons- your vehicle’s computer might still be running if you leave the car open, which could drain your battery.

Clean the Battery Terminals

Battery acid leakage is unsafe, as it can cause corrosion. As such, checking your car battery for any acid leakage is crucial. You should also consider cleaning the terminals if there is acid leakage. Typically, baking soda and water solutions will clean dirt, grime, and leakage and have your terminals in excellent condition. First, you should mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water. Then, you should use an old toothbrush to scrub and an old rag to wipe the solution and corrosion off as you continue cleaning. When you’ve scrubbed the corrosion off, you can try to get to the bolts and clean them.

Know When to Replace the Mazda Battery

Typically, a car battery lasts between three to seven years before it needs to be replaced. Many aspects affect your car battery lifespan, including the quality of the battery, extreme temperatures in your area, loose connections, corrosion, and regular battery maintenance. When the battery is weak, all kinds of issues can arise; for instance, the electronics will malfunction, and you’ll struggle to start your vehicle. As such, knowing when you should replace your battery is vital. Besides the lifespan, here are a few signs that you need to replace your battery:

• The engine light or battery warning light is on: A weak or dying battery will trigger its warning light. In older car models, the engine light will come on. That’s because the failing battery doesn’t send the correct amount of energy to the computer. It’s wise to get the battery checked by a technician if you need a replacement to avoid getting stuck on the road with a dead battery.
• Difficult to start your car: A failing battery can make it difficult to start the car since there’s insufficient power to get the engine going. You’ll hear clicking sounds when you turn the key in the ignition.
• Issues with the electronics: Besides starting your vehicle, that battery also powers the electronics in your car. A weak battery will affect the car’s electronics; for instance, the headlights and dashboard lights will be dimmer, and the windshield wipers and windows will move slower.
• Misshapen or swollen battery: A chemical reaction occurs if your battery is exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures. That’ll cause the battery to swell and lose its shape, and it can even crack. If you notice these signs, it’s definitely a sign that you need a new battery.
• You need to jumpstart your battery: If you need a good samaritan to help you jumpstart your battery, it could be time for a new one. That’s especially true if it’s not the first time you had to get the jumper cables out of the trunk.

Care for Your Mazda Car Battery!

At Cutter Mazda Honolulu, we’re not simply experts who can help you find the ideal used or certified pre-owned Mazda model. We’ll also help you take care of your car to ensure that it keeps running and serving you well for years to come. The skilled technicians at our Mazda dealership can help you with automotive issues, including issues with your battery. We understand that your battery is a crucial component since it helps your car start up. We’ll guide you and offer practical insights to care for your Mazda car battery- and ready to fix any issues it may encounter.

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