Don't Neglect Your Car Battery!

Every car comes having one, but some motorists be if this particular component seemingly maintenance free. What am I talking about? Your car's battery. Technological advances have manufactured "maintenance free" batteries standard equipment on virtually every vehicle produced today. However, the term "maintenance free" may be a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded if you do not perform proper and normal maintenance. Battery maintenance isn't difficult to do, so let's take a look at you skill to keep your family 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 would not apply and you will need to add water on a regular basis. Unsealed batteries are easy to spot as they win small vent caps on top of the battery which is often twisted open. You will need to periodically add distilled water to hold water levels; more so during the summer months as water can evaporate quicker. Do not let the battery run low or run out of water as the battery's cells is usually ruined.



If your battery is within the sealed variety, then the "maintenance free" label holds only partially true since the term only extends to your account not needing to add water to your cells as you would using an unsealed battery.

With any type of car battery - made or unsealed - you ought to do the following to help keep it working properly:

1. Clean the cables. Disconnect the cables within 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 plus clean paint brush to apply the solution where called for.

2. Lubricate the articles or blog posts. A small dab with petroleum jelly on each post should help keep your cables clean and clear of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it easier for you to slip the cables lower back onto the battery.

3. Check connections. Besides the connection between the cable and the articles or blog posts, make sure that the particular battery hold down bar is securely constantly in place. Not all cars have or here is a battery hold down standard, but if yours includes come so equipped, you will need to put it back around 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 decrease the chance that your own battery will fail a person at an inopportune time period. Yes, the "maintenance free" ingredients label is incorrect, so please don't be lulled into forgetting to carry out something that should do not be overlooked.