Prevention Is Key

Batteries fail for a litany of reasons but usually they are the result of, or combination of, fluid level, charge and discharge, freshness and corrosion.

“Heat still remains the biggest killer in terms of premature battery loss,” says David Saxton, head of product program development for ACDelco Canada in Toronto, “It promotes corrosion, grid growth and can also lead to internal short outs.”

If a problem is discovered during a preventive maintenance inspection, Saxton recommends performing a conductance test followed by a load test before deciding to send a battery back to the manufacturer for testing.

“Testing batteries on a consistent basis is the key to early detection,” says Gale Kimbrough, technical service manager for Interstate Batteries System of America. He suggests keeping track when customers’ batteries are being replaced or recharged. Reminding them every three years that their battery needs maintenance can lead to improved customer satisfaction as well as repeat business.