Auto

How to Take Care of Your Car’s Battery?

A few simple battery maintenance steps can help your battery last longer for a greater return on your investment.

Published

3 years ago

February 26, 2021

Your vehicle uses an automotive battery to power the starter and other electrical devices. Without proper car battery maintenance, you may find yourself unable to start your vehicle.

Keep your car running smoothly and reliably with these routine battery maintenance steps. A few simple battery maintenance steps can help your battery last longer for a greater return on your investment.

Monitor Its Age

Batteries don’t last forever, whether you drive your vehicle every day or infrequently. Monitor the age of your battery and your battery warranty. Once your warranty expires, your battery may be reaching the end of its life. Lead-acid automotive batteries typically last at least three years, but may experience reduced performance after five years.

The battery warranty length offers you additional peace of mind. Batteries with longer warranties may not be guaranteed to last longer than other battery types once the warranty has expired, so perform routine battery tests after your warranty has expired.

Keep It Clean

Corrosion can build up around the terminals of your battery. Corrosion acts as an insulator, which means it can prevent your battery from powering your electrical systems. Visually inspect your battery cables and terminals for signs of corrosion. Clean it using a professional terminal cleaning brush, a simple wire brush or even an old toothbrush.

Use care when cleaning battery terminals. Corrosion can burn your skin, so always wear gloves and safety glasses. You may need to use a baking soda and water mixture to thoroughly remove corrosion. Always remove the battery cable before cleaning with a water and baking soda mixture, and use a nonmetallic brush.

Once you’ve scrubbed the terminals and cables with a baking soda mixture, flush the area with cool water. Wait until it’s fully dry before connecting the cables. Be sure you connect the positive cable first, then the negative one, but remove them in reverse order. This will help prevent the risk of electrocution. Any damage to the terminals is a sign that you need to replace your battery. Use caution when handling your old battery and don’t attempt to repair a battery terminal.

Don’t Let It Fully Discharge

There are a few ways that your battery can become dangerously discharged. Under normal circumstances, your car’s alternator recharges your battery while the engine runs, keeping it topped up safely.

If you use electrical systems while the engine isn’t running, it starts to drain your battery. A damaged alternator can also cause your battery to drain with use. A fully discharged battery may not be able to be recharged. When in doubt, use a battery tester to see if your battery is capable of being recharged with jumper cables or a battery charger.

Have Your Battery Tested

Your local auto parts store has free battery charging services you can enjoy. Take advantage of this service to monitor the condition of your battery. When it reaches the end of its lifetime, you’ll also find affordable battery rates and free battery recycling at participating local stores. Stop by your auto parts store today to keep your battery well maintained.

Auto

A comprehensive guide to Electronic Stability Control (ESC): All you need to know

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Editorial Team

Electronic Stability Control or ESC: Everything you need to know about it

Modern vehicles are equipped with various safety features, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which helps drivers maintain control in critical situations. ESC uses automatic braking to keep the vehicle on course, preventing loss of control due to slipping wheels.

ESC, also known as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) or Electronic Stability Program (ESP), assists drivers during hard turns or steep manoeuvres by adjusting the brakes and engine throttle. This technology doesn’t prevent rollovers but helps keep the vehicle stable by ensuring the tires stay on the road.

The ESC system activates when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on and works in the background by monitoring steering wheel activity and wheel speed sensors. If a loss of control is detected, ESC automatically adjusts oversteer and understeer, applying brakes to individual wheels to bring the vehicle back on track.

Advantages of ESC include preventing vehicle skidding in slippery conditions, providing support in tricky driving situations, enhancing safety, comfort, and agility, and helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles. This technology significantly reduces the risk of rollovers and improves overall driving safety.

Auto

Bookings open for the Ducati Panigale V2 with sleek new black livery

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Editorial Team

Ducati Panigale V2 gets new black livery, bookings open

Ducati India has unveiled a new black-on-black livery for the Panigale V2 motorcycle, with bookings now open. The price will be announced later this month, while the current Ducati Red variant is priced at ₹20.68 lakh ex-showroom.

The Ducati Panigale V2 retains the same 955 cc, L-twin Superquadro engine, producing 152 bhp of power and 104 Nm of torque. It features a 6-speed gearbox with Ducati Quick Shift and a slipper clutch for smooth gear transitions.

Equipped with a monocoque aluminum frame and single-sided swingarm, the Panigale V2 boasts Fully adjustable Showa BPF forks at the front and a Sachs unit at the rear. It rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tires and sports twin 320 mm semi-floating discs with Brembo Monobloc M4.32 calipers.

The motorcycle comes with a 4.3-inch TFT color screen displaying essential information and safety features like Riding Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS EVO, and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2. Optional add-ons include Full LED lighting, Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+), and anti-theft features for added convenience.

Auto

Aprilia India introduces actor John Abraham as its latest brand ambassador

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Editorial Team

Aprilia India has announced actor John Abraham as its new brand ambassador as it launched the 2024 range of superbikes in the country. Abraham, a motorcycle enthusiast, will represent the brand known for its high-performance bikes like the Aprilia RSV4 Factory.

The 2024 RSV4, RS660, Tuono 660, and Tuareg 660 ADV have been introduced in India as Completely Built Units (CBU) and will be available exclusively through Aprilia’s Motoplex dealerships nationwide. With plans to expand to 10 dealerships, Aprilia aims to cater to the growing demand for premium motorcycles in the Indian market.

John Abraham expressed his excitement about joining Aprilia, stating, “I am thrilled to be associated with Aprilia as their brand ambassador. I personally connect with the Aprilia brand, which embodies passion, performance, and style.” His alignment with Aprilia’s racing heritage and legacy makes him the perfect fit for the brand’s image.

Diego Graffi, Chairman and MD of Piaggio Vehicles, welcomed John Abraham to the Aprilia family, emphasizing how the actor’s passion for performance and adventure mirrors the spirit of the brand. The partnership is expected to enhance Aprilia’s visibility in India and appeal to riders seeking thrilling yet stylish motorcycles.

Apoorva Saigal, Head of Corporate Communication and Marketing at Aprilia, highlighted the significance of having John Abraham on board as the brand ambassador. The collaboration aims to reach a wider audience of passionate riders and create campaigns that celebrate the exhilarating experience of riding an Aprilia motorcycle.

Before joining Aprilia, John Abraham had a longstanding partnership with Yamaha India as its brand ambassador. Known for his love for motorcycles, the actor and producer’s association with Aprilia further solidifies his commitment to promoting high-performance bikes in the country’s market.