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How to Keep Your Battery Alive
A little
maintenance will keep your battery charged
through the cold months as well as the warmer
ones.
Steps
-
Estimate the age of your battery. If
it's more than four years old, replace
it.
-
Ask your mechanic to perform a 'load
test' on your battery. This tests
whether the battery is capable of
generating sufficient charge on
below-freezing days. If it fails the
test, replace the battery.
-
Clean the battery terminals if they are
encrusted with deposits. Use a wire
brush dipped in baking soda and water to
clean them of corrosion and ensure that
the deposits do not block the flow of
electrical current.
-
Check to make sure the water level in
the battery hasn't dropped. You can do
this on conventional batteries by
popping off the plastic cover and
checking to see that the water inside
reaches the plastic filler necks. Add
distilled water if necessary.
Maintenance-free batteries, however,
generally have an indicator light that
goes black when the battery needs
service; take these types to a mechanic
for service.
-
Check the tightness of the battery cable
ends. A loose battery connection can
prevent your car from starting and acts
just like a dead battery. If you can
move the battery cable ends that are
attached to the battery terminals at
all, they are too loose.
-
Check that the battery is securely
fastened in the battery tray. A loose
battery that is allowed to shift around
can cause damage if it is able to tip
over under the hood. Excessive vibration
will also shorten the life of your
battery.
-
Consider investing in an engine or
battery heater if you live in an
especially cold climate; the heater can
reduce the power that's needed to start
your car.
Tips &
Warnings
-
In severe cases, the battery may need to
be recharged with a battery charger to
bring it back to life.
-
Your car may not be starting because
other components in the charging system
are failing, or because of a bad starter
motor.
-
Recharging your battery improperly may
fry it and other electrical accessories
in your car, so it needs to be done
slowly.
-
Keep open flames away from your battery
- the chemicals inside it are
combustible.
-
Battery acid is highly corrosive. When
adding distilled water to the battery,
take care that acid doesn't splatter on
your skin or clothes.
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