For the most part, car batteries have often drawn the short end of the stick when it comes to maintenance. Can you remember the last time you gave the battery in your car a little tender loving care? If you can't don't worry, you're not alone. That's why we've decided to make a quick list of some of the ways that you can care for the battery inside of your car, truck, or SUV. Car batteries always seem to know the worst possible time to die, and they almost always choose that time. By taking the proper care of your battery, you can help prevent this and keep it going strong throughout its life.
Taking care of your car's battery is so easy, all you need is 10 minutes of spare time and you're good to go. When you first begin to take care of your battery, take a look at how much corrosion has formed around the battery, and clean it off. Clean the top first and then clean off any corrosion on the cables with a post cleaner. All you need for getting the corrosion off is baking soda, water and a non-metallic brush. That last part is key. When you're disconnecting the cables on your battery, be sure to take the negative one off first!
After you've cleaned up the corrosion, gently pry off the covers to the battery cells. And check the water level. If the water and acid is below ½-inch deep, add distilled water to the battery and wait a couple of hours before continuing. This is also a great time to check for any cracks in the battery. If you do spot a crack, it's time to replace your battery.
While we're checking stuff, it's a good idea to check the condition and charge of the battery. This is achieved by testing the electrolyte in each of the battery's cells. Simply squeeze the ball on the hydrometer to draw solution from the battery into the tester. Hold the test level, and then record your reading and squirt the solution back into the battery cell.
By following these simple steps you can help to keep your battery running in tip-top shape throughout its life. You can also bring your vehicle in to our service center where our highly trained and certified technicians can take a look at and test your battery for you if you simply do not have the time to do so yourself. Remember, getting towed generally costs way more than getting a new battery and taking care of your current one. Take care of your battery and don't get stuck paying more!
