A car has a very wide array of parts and components that makes the operation of the vehicle possible. All of these components have to be cared for to ensure that the car will run smoothly and also so as to avoid car breakdowns or even accidents.
But some car parts or components are paid less attention than other parts. One of these is the car battery - no matter what battery it is, it needs proper care and maintenance to make sure that it will not be a cause of a car malfunction. That is why CarMax Inc., the country's biggest retailer of used cars has issued their tips to motorists on how to take care of their batteries.
Juan Crespo, the ASE Master Technician for CarMax, stated that while the battery is one of the most important parts in an automobile, it has the reputation of being one of the many highly abused but seldom maintained parts of a car. "Usually, no attention is paid to the battery unless it is suspected of causing a problem", Crespo added. He also pointed out that the most prevalent problems encountered with batteries are low voltage or low charge.
In response to this, and to help motorists prolong the life of their batteries, the technicians at CarMax have come up with few pieces of advice to keep batteries from causing problem to car owners.
When working with batteries, technicians recommend that safety should be considered first. Thus they encourage anyone working with batteries to wear proper eye, hand, and clothing protection. This is because of the chemicals used on batteries are quite corrosive in nature.
Maintaining the proper condition of a battery starts with the way it is installed; battery cables should be connected tightly to the battery's terminals and should be free from corrosion. In case that corrosion is already setting in, car owners should let qualified technicians clean the battery terminals for them. Correct installation of the battery means that it should be firmly secured to its mounting brackets. It should be held in a steady position since a running engine causes vibration and this vibration can cause the battery to shift. Added vibration due to road conditions can also move the battery around and can cause damage to its housing or to the components inside.
For those who opt for batteries which are not "maintenance free", they should regularly check the level of battery fluid and add distilled water if there is less fluid than there ought to be. While those batteries that seem to have no fluid left at all should be replaced since the apparent absence of battery fluid means that the battery is approaching uselessness. Keeping the battery clean is also one key to lengthen the service of a car battery. Motorists are encouraged to keep the battery case clean since accumulated dirt can conduct electricity which means that it can discharge a battery.
Cleaning the battery case can be done easily with a nylon bristle brush and a solution of baking soda dissolved in warm water. Once the battery case is already brushed and cleaned by the solution, it can be rinsed with just plain water.
Choosing a battery also spells the difference in some cases avoiding premature deterioration of the battery. Since they come in different sizes, it is essential to pick the battery just right for your car. You can check out your car owner's manual to find the specifications you would need to find a new battery.
Keeping in mind that the battery is an important part of the car, it should be treated properly. It does not only provide starting power but also gives power to other accessories of the car like a .
