A car battery maintainer will deliver a controlled low current to keep a vehicle's battery in peak condition, making it ideal for vehicles which are parked for extended periods of time. A car battery maintainer, such as those offered by CTEK, helps prevent battery drain and extends battery life. This article explains what a battery maintainer is, how it differs from a standard charger, its benefits for seldom used and seasonal vehicles, practical setup advice for garages and car ports, and a spotlight on CTEK's NXT 5.

30 June 2026

One joy of motoring on two wheels is simply putting on your helmet and gloves, jumping on your motorcycle and hitting the open road. To make that happen your motorcycle has to be in good working order – and that includes the 12V battery usually hidden beneath the seat. 

30 April 2026

When you connect your charger to your vehicle’s 12V battery, you may wonder how long it will take until your starter battery is fully charged. There is no one answer to that question. Several factors will affect the time taken and understanding them can give you useful clues. 

26 February 2026

They’re silent, usually unseen and absolutely vital to modern life. Batteries start, stop, power and enable an endless list of devices and appliances. But how do they work and what do we need to do to keep them operating? 

21 January 2026

Look at vehicle batteries that need a charge and they all look the same from the outside. You can stick a standard battery charger on and let it progress through its charging modes and hopefully a few hours, or perhaps overnight, you end up with a battery in good enough health. 

17 January 2026

Your vehicle might have one, or you might be wondering if you should get one, but what exactly is an AGM battery? 

5 January 2026

Here at CTEK we are constantly challenging ourselves to make sure that all of our products are safe, reliable and easy to operate. It’s also important to us that they are flexible and able to exactly meet your charging needs.

18 December 2025

Motoring in winter brings its own challenges, with bad weather and tricky road conditions meaning it is the most important season in the year to be prepared before you hit the road.

3 December 2025

If you drive an automatic and find yourself with a flat battery, knowing how to jump start it is very useful knowledge. Unlike manual vehicles, automatic cars can’t be push-started, so you’ll need to use either jump cables with a second vehicle or, preferably, a portable booster pack such as CTEK’s RB 3000 or RB 4000. 

27 November 2025

When you connect your CTEK battery charger to your vehicle battery and turn on the power you may notice a light blinking on the battery charger. Various chargers have their own different appearances but most CTEK chargers – such as the MXS, CT5, NXT, MXT and PRO25 models – have this light.

26 November 2025

A comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions and expert tips for safe and effective charging.

10 October 2025

A car battery is more than a mere electrical component – it is the beating heart of your vehicle’s electrical system, essential for starting the engine and powering onboard electronics.  

3 October 2025

Did you know you can charge your car battery through the CIG (cigarette lighter or accessory) 12V accessory socket? Well, you almost certainly can. 

25 September 2025

A battery at 27°C will discharge an extra 33% faster than a battery at 18°C. If your car is idle for a few weeks, the losses mount up and the risk of a non-starter increases, potentially building towards a completely failed battery and a costly new replacement.

21 August 2025

It’s a familiar scenario during the summer months: you hop into your car after a few days off, turn the key – and nothing happens. The combination of high temperatures, short trips and long periods of inactivity makes summer one of the most common times for car battery failure. 

24 July 2025

Summer means longer days, sunshine and road trips. Whether you're heading to the coast, the countryside or just enjoying a staycation, your car battery should be the last thing you’re worrying about. But every year, thousands of summer holidays are disrupted by one common issue: a dead car battery. 

17 July 2025

By using the connect CIG PLUG, your CTEK charger can charge your vehicle battery through the 12V cigarette lighter or accessory socket. It’s a universal fit, so it works with both 12mm and 21mm sockets.

18 June 2025

The days are getting longer and it’s time to hit the road in your campervan and let the sun recharge your own personal energy stores – and at the same time that solar power can top up your van’s batteries too. 

28 May 2025

Riding a motorcycle is all about freedom—the open road, the fresh air, and the thrill of the journey. However, nothing dampens the excitement like a dead battery, especially after months of storage. Many riders find their motorcycles unresponsive after winter because the battery hasn't survived the downtime. To prevent this inconvenience, regular battery maintenance is key. Here’s how you can keep your motorcycle battery in peak condition for uninterrupted rides. 

24 April 2025

As Car Care Month continues, it is a great time to learn more about the CTEK MXS 5.0. This charger has the capability to keep your car running and keep you on the go at all times. The key to its success is the 8 step charging process that this charger follows. Simply connect the clamps on the MXS 5.0 to the battery, plug it in at the mains, and you are ready to start the 8 steps. This charger also has convenient indicator lights that inform you if you have connected improperly. So let’s take a look at the process and how easy it is to keep your car charged.

10 April 2025

As a keen motorcyclist, you’ll almost certainly understand the benefits of keeping your bike’s battery in prime condition.  You’ll know that regular charging of your motorcycle’s battery will help you get the best performance from your motorcycle, for longer. 

24 March 2025

As a biker with a Lithium-ion (12V LiFePO4) battery powered motorcycle, you’ll already understand some of the significant advantages a lithium battery can offer – lighter weight for improved handling, greater efficiency with faster charging and a longer lifespan than many traditional lead-acid counterparts.  In fact, lithium batteries offer up to 2,000 charge cycles compared to 300-500 charge cycles from a lead-acid battery, and weigh up to 60% less - so it’s easy to see why the use of Lithium batteries are on the rise in all motor vehicles.   

19 March 2025

The days are getting longer, spring is just around the corner, and motorcyclists far and wide will be preparing to hit the roads for some exhilarating rides. But before you set off, you’ll be wanting to check that your vehicle is in tip-top condition, so that you can start it up and get out on the road without any frustrations. Part of that preparation is, of course, to ensure your motorcycle battery is in great condition and the right battery charger will do just that for you. But which is the best motorcycle battery charger for you?

11 March 2025

Spring is just around the corner, and with it, the promise of longer days, milder temperatures and the thrill of getting out on the open road. And we have got the best tips on how to prepare for a motorcycle road trip.

5 March 2025