MISSION, Kan., April 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features) Your vehicle is a vital piece of transportation for getting you from point A to point B, making it important to keep it in good shape for when you're ready to ride the roads. While the average American spends plenty of time behind the wheel, there can be periods of time where cars sit in the garage or on the driveway.
Not only can weather impact a vehicle's performance, but so can its usage. A battery not in use will eventually lose its charge. If a car hasn't gained a lot of mileage over a period of three weeks or longer, the likelihood of a dead battery increases by roughly 50%, according to a study by Interstate Batteries, making it a leading cause of car trouble.
In fact, nearly 1 in 4 car batteries will need to be replaced on the road this year, but more than half of consumers do not test their batteries every year or don't know if their batteries have been tested, according to the study.
Maintain your battery and your vehicle overall with these tips for safer driving.
Especially when you use your vehicle irregularly, it's important to practice proper and routine car maintenance so your vehicle is ready when you hit the road again. Find more advice for keeping your car in top condition at InterstateBatteries.com.
What to Do If Your Car Won't Start
Turn everything off. From electronics and climate control to any other accessories that can be powered down, make sure to turn all of them off. This can make it easier for another car to start yours and can prevent potential damage from voltage surges when power is restored.
Call for help. Roadside assistance is available through some auto insurance policies as well as numerous club memberships. Alternatively, try contacting friends and family, or if you're parked at an apartment building or in an office complex, its maintenance or security team may be able to help.
Raise the hood and leave it open. This is a universal sign for help that doesn't use your battery. If you don't already know, consult your owner's manual to find where your battery is located. If you find corrosion around the negative terminal, carefully brush it off or knock it loose with a wrench or tire iron. Do not blow on it, as this can result in debris entering your eyes.
Jump-start your car. If possible, use a jump box, which is a compact, rechargeable battery that can jump-start your car. They're safer and easier than jumper cables and provide a gentler jump-start for your engine.
Michael French
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editors.familyfeatures.com
About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
A leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com.
SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate
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