Proper battery maintenance is important year-round, but especially when winter rolls around. During the colder months, battery performance can quickly drop if it is not maintained correctly.
Know Your Battery
The first step in proper battery maintenance is inspecting it regularly. You’ll be more aware of changes when the vehicle starts or whether things seem to be slower to start than usual. If you notice something is wrong, you can fix the issue or replace the battery before it becomes a safety issue or dies completely.
Test and Replace the Battery
Don’t wait until your battery runs into trouble before you take the time to run a test. Before any trip or as winter rolls around, do a load test as part of your regular semi-truck battery maintenance. A load test mimics the strain placed on the battery when starting the vehicle or using the power. The test will let you know how well the battery runs and ensure the battery temperature isn’t too high.
You should also inspect the cables and connections to ensure things are tight and clean. A dirty connection impacts how well the battery functions and can risk corrosion from settling in and causing severe damage. For batteries over four years old, avoid the headache of unexpected downtime by having them replaced now.
Keep the Battery Charged and Warm
Batteries don’t mix well with cold temperatures, so keeping them warm is essential. When you’re not driving, keep your commercial fleets indoors and warm when possible. A warm battery will recharge faster and doesn’t risk the discharge from reaching freezing levels. If you need to store the battery for the long term, always disconnect the cables first. That will help prevent any parasitic drains from the battery, so it’s ready to use right away the next time you need it. It’s also a good general trick when it comes to proper battery maintenance.
Get a Professional Check
If you’re bringing the vehicle in for service or notice problems with the battery, it can never hurt to have a professional take a second look at your battery. While regular upkeep and maintenance over the year are essential, so is having a professional involved. An experienced fleet mechanic can do a detailed inspection of the battery, its connections, and any other vital points. Then, if minor repairs or semi-truck battery maintenance are needed, they can handle those as well.
For any battery checks, and general fleet maintenance or repairs, book a service appointment with Motorplex. Connect with one of our shops in Spokane or Auburn, WA. Contact Motorplex today!
Motorplex Offers Fleet Maintenance in Auburn and Spokane
Motorplex offers fleet maintenance, in-shop repairs, and onsite mobile service in Auburn and Spokane. We can work on all makes and models from light automotive, medium-truck, and heavy-duty vehicles. As diesel engine repair experts, you can trust that fleet is in good hands.
Need professional fleet maintenance? Then Motorplex is here to help. Contact us now to book an appointment in Auburn, WA or Spokane, WA!
