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eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
Taking Care of Your Car's Battery
by Matthew C. Keegan
Every car comes with one, but some motorists act as if
this particular component is completely maintenance
free. What am I talking about? Your car's battery.
Technological advances have made "maintenance free"
batteries standard equipment on virtually every vehicle
produced today. However, the term "maintenance free" is
a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded if you do
not perform proper and regular maintenance. Battery
maintenance isn't difficult to do, so let's take a look
at what you can do to keep your car running.
Before discussing battery maintenance, please make sure
that your battery is, in fact, the sealed type. If it
isn't, then the "maintenance free" label certainly does
not apply and you will need to add water on a regular
basis. Unsealed batteries are easy to spot as they have
small vent caps on top of the battery which can be
twisted open. You will need to periodically add
distilled water to maintain water levels; more so in the
summer months as water tends to evaporate quicker. Do
not let your battery run low or run out of water as the
battery's cells can be ruined.
If your battery is of the sealed variety, then the
"maintenance free" label is still only partially true
since the term only extends to you not needing to add
water to the cells as you would with an unsealed
battery.
With any type of car battery - sealed or unsealed - you
must do the following to help keep it working properly:
1. Clean the cables. Disconnect the cables from the
battery and clean them with a wire brush that has been
doused in a home made mixture [the mixture combines one
tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water]. Use
this same mixture to clean off the top of the battery;
use a small and clean paint brush to apply the solution
where needed.
2. Lubricate the posts. A small dab of petroleum jelly
on each post will help keep your cables clean and free
of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it
easier for you to slip the cables back onto the battery.
3. Check connections. Besides the connection between the
cable and the posts, make sure that the battery hold
down bar is securely in place. Not all cars have or need
a battery hold down bar, but if yours has come so
equipped, you will need to put it back in its proper
place.
That's it! Car battery maintenance is an easy task and
one that should be performed on an annual basis. If you
keep your battery properly maintained, you will extend
its life and greatly reduce the chance that your battery
will fail you at an inopportune time. Yes, the
"maintenance free" label is incorrect, so please don't
be lulled into forgetting to do something that should
never be overlooked.
About the Author
Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer
for the Race Pages, a supplier of quality vehicle
headlights and Honda fog lights at discount prices. |
