February 8, 2007
Taking good care of your car battery can be a hard task, but is more difficult to replace it. However, if you know how to maintain its good condition, you can be free from the hassle of having to replacing it. But how are you going to maintain your car battery?
The battery is one of the most important performance parts of your modern car but unfortunately it is also the one which receives the most abuse and is seldom maintained. It does not receive that much attention until it starts to malfunction.
However, CarMax, one of the largest retailers of used cars in the US, has got something for you. I found these tips on The Auto Channel. These are the do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind on how you can take good care of your battery the expert way:
Do's
Whenever working around batteries, make sure to wear proper eye, hand, and clothing protection.
Check the terminals where the battery cables connect to be sure they are tight and free of corrosion. If corrosion is present, get a qualified technician to clean the terminals.
Make sure the battery is firmly secured to its mounting bracket. An unsecured battery that shifts around can become damaged, and possibly cause short circuits.
In batteries other than those that are "maintenance free, "periodically check the fluid level. If the fluid is low, add only distilled water to top it off. If no fluid is detectable, you may want to replace the battery rather than fill it, as batteries in this condition will usually fail very soon.
Always remember to keep your battery case clean. Dirt conducts electricity, which can discharge the battery. Battery cases can be cleaned with a solution of baking soda dissolved in warm water. Wet the case and agitate with a nylon bristle brush. Rinse well with plain water.
Batteries come in many different sizes. When replacing a car battery, make sure you choose the right size for your vehicle. When it comes to car batteries, bigger is not always better.
Don'ts
If you suspect that a battery is frozen, do not charge it, as it may explode! One visual sign that a battery has frozen is that the sides are bowed out. This condition is not repairable, and the battery will need to be replaced by a professional as soon as possible.
If you need to charge your battery yourself, switch the charger to a low-charge setting. Most chargers have this feature but if not, have a professional charge the battery.
Don't charge a dead battery with a car's alternator. An alternator is not designed to function as a charger, and it may be damaged or have a shortened life as a result.
Hope these tips would help you. Follow these simple yet effective steps so you can be free from experiencing battery problems in the future. I know I’ll be following them myself.
