The battery plays a very important role in keeping your car running smoothly. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners only realize the importance of the battery after their car breaks down. So that you don't experience the same thing, it's good to know when is the right time to change the battery and what are the initial symptoms.

Let's see when is the best time to replace your car battery:

1. Routinely Replace Every 2-3 Years

Even if it doesn't look damaged, the battery should be replaced every two to three years. You see, over time, the battery's performance must decrease, especially if the car is often used in extreme conditions such as heavy rain or very hot weather. Replacing the battery regularly can keep the car's electrical system stable and prevent sudden problems.

2. Battery Voltage Below 12.4 Volts

If you check the battery voltage and the number is below 12.4 volts, it's a sign that the battery is starting to weaken. In the range of 11.9-12.4 volts, the battery can still be used but it's not optimal. If it's below 11.8 volts, it's better to replace it immediately because it's likely that the car won't start, especially when you need a lot of power such as turning on the air conditioner, lights, or starter in the morning.

3. Frequency of Car Usage

If you often start the car for short distances and often turn off the engine, it can make the battery drop quickly because it hasn't had time to be fully charged. Ironically, cars that are rarely used can also suffer from battery problems because sulfate buildup can cause the battery capacity to drop. So whether you use it often or rarely, ideally the battery should be replaced every two years.

4. Extreme Weather Changes

Weather and seasonal changes also have a big effect on the condition of the battery. Statistics show that the spike in crashes due to dead batteries can increase by 30% at the beginning of the rainy season after a drought. The same thing happens during summer, where high temperatures accelerate the decline in battery quality. So, when entering the season transition, it's a good idea to check the condition of the battery or even replace it directly if it's over two years old.

Don't want to be bothered by a sudden car breakdown? Let's take good care of your car battery and replace it at the right time. Don't wait until the car can't be started, because it's better to prevent than to bother on the road.

Indonesia

Aki punya peran sangat penting dalam menjaga mobil tetap bisa jalan dengan lancar. Sayangnya, banyak pemilik kendaraan baru sadar pentingnya aki setelah mobilnya mogok. Supaya kamu nggak mengalami hal yang sama, ada baiknya tahu kapan waktu yang pas buat ganti aki dan apa saja gejala awalnya.

Yuk, simak kapan saat terbaik untuk mengganti aki mobil kamu:

1. Rutin Ganti Tiap 2-3 Tahun

Meski belum terlihat rusak, aki sebaiknya diganti tiap dua sampai tiga tahun. Soalnya, seiring waktu performa aki pasti menurun, apalagi kalau mobil sering dipakai di kondisi ekstrem seperti hujan deras atau cuaca panas banget. Ganti aki secara berkala bisa menjaga sistem kelistrikan mobil tetap stabil dan mencegah masalah mendadak.

2. Tegangan Aki di Bawah 12,4 Volt

Kalau kamu cek voltase aki dan angkanya di bawah 12,4 volt, itu tandanya aki mulai lemah. Di kisaran 11,9–12,4 volt, aki masih bisa dipakai tapi sudah nggak optimal. Kalau sudah di bawah 11,8 volt, mending segera ganti karena besar kemungkinan mobil nggak bakal nyala, terutama saat butuh daya besar seperti menyalakan AC, lampu, atau starter di pagi hari.

3. Frekuensi Penggunaan Mobil

Kalau kamu sering nyalain mobil buat jarak dekat dan sering matiin-nyalain mesin, itu bisa bikin aki cepat drop karena belum sempat terisi penuh. Ironisnya, mobil yang jarang dipakai juga bisa kena masalah aki karena bisa terjadi penumpukan sulfat yang bikin kapasitas aki turun. Jadi baik sering atau jarang dipakai, idealnya aki diganti tiap dua tahun.

4. Perubahan Cuaca Ekstrem

Perubahan cuaca dan musim juga berpengaruh besar terhadap kondisi aki. Statistik menunjukkan lonjakan mogok akibat aki mati bisa naik 30% saat awal musim hujan setelah kemarau. Hal serupa terjadi saat musim panas, di mana suhu tinggi mempercepat penurunan kualitas aki. Jadi, saat masuk transisi musim, ada baiknya cek kondisi aki atau bahkan ganti langsung kalau usianya sudah lewat dua tahun.

Nggak mau ribet karena mobil mogok mendadak? Yuk, rawat aki mobil kamu dengan baik dan ganti di waktu yang tepat. Jangan tunggu sampai mobil nggak bisa dinyalain, karena lebih enak mencegah daripada repot di jalan.