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Maintaining
the Peak Performance of Your Car's Battery
By Jovir
Amatong
For
those of you who are first time DIYs, the battery is one of the
integral components of your car; it is rechargeable and is the
power source of the ignition system and other electrical devices
in your car.
Initially
there's the maintenance free and low-maintenance types to choose
from. A maintenance free battery is sealed and will not require
replenishing the battery fluids over a long period of time while
the low-maintenance type requires constant check up and replenishing
once a drop in battery fluid levels can be seen. Battery fluid
(Alkaline) can easily be bought at local gas stations and car
yards or you can use distilled water as a substitute.
In
layman's terms the battery is the heart of your car but is often
times the most neglected simply because nowadays it's bought "maintenance
free."
Recent
trends and technological advancements have made maintenance free
batteries a standard on every vehicle out in the market today.
Don't
get the impression that since you've read on the label that it's
maintenance free, you will just simply put it in its place and
forget about it. Your car's battery is not entirely that. Just
like any other sensitive equipment of your car, it also requires
your constant care and attention for it to function well.
Here
are the basic maintenance tips that will certainly save you a
lot of trouble and will not leave you clueless by the roadside
while on a very important trip.
As
a rule before doing maintenance checks, always see to it to disconnect
the clamps off the terminals to avoid untoward injuries from shock.
1.
Check the cell casing and cover
Run
an ocular inspection on the battery cell casing, box and cover
for signs of moisture and pungent acidic smell. These are indicators
that your battery is leaking and it needs to be fixed or replaced
right away. Maintain caution when handling leaking batteries for
hazardous chemicals are present.
2.
Clean terminals, clamps and cables
When
you happened to see white powdery specks or see colorful substances
around the terminals, they are signs of corrosion and needs to
be cleaned right away. Make a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon
baking soda immersed in 1 cup of water) and with an old toothbrush,
clean the terminals, clamps and cables. Also clean the battery
cover for accumulated grime and dust.
3.
Make sure everything is dry
Make
it a point to have everything dry before going further with your
check up. With a dry rag, wipe off the remaining dew and moisture
from the battery and terminals.
4.
Check the wiring and connection
Run
a check on the wires and clamps for strips or corrosion. If you
have stripped cables, patch the affected part with a good electrical
tape or have them replaced by a mechanic. Make sure that the battery
is placed securely in its place. If your battery is equipped with
a hold down bar, be sure to replace it.
5.
Lubricate the terminals
With
a lubricant (Petroleum jelly) place a small dab on the terminals.
This will keep your cables clean and free of corrosion longer,
while making it easier for you to put the cables back on the battery
terminal.
6.
Change your battery
Change
your battery at the maximum of 3 to 3.5 years or after reaching
the warranty period. For accidental battery drain (Such as leaving
the lights on or stereo on) a lot of auto technicians would just
recommend re-charging.
Car
battery maintenance is that easy! Do it frequently to extend the
life of your battery.
Safe
driving.
Jovir
Amatong
jamatong@autoterminal.com
http://www.autoterminal.com
Article
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Maintaining-the-Peak-Performance-of-Your-Cars-Battery&id=1524007
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