Monday 25 June 2012

Conduct Regular Car Battery Checks

Nowadays, car batteries do not require frequent replacement but you need to do occasional check-ups just to ensure that it is functioning well. Do not forget the safety aspects before you work on this concern. Always disconnect the battery with the negative cable first and make sure that the terminal posts do not come into contact with the terminal posts. Be careful with the sulphuric substance in the battery. If it gets into your hands or shirt, wash it off right away.

The car battery is responsible for making your lights and radio work. If these fail to work after you turn on the ignition switch, the batter may have been discharged completely or is defective. You will need help from a mechanic to replace your battery.

There is a possibility that your battery needs to be recharged if in case the radio continues to work but the lights suddenly go off. If the headlights and warning lamp continue to function but the engine fails to work, the problem may be with the ignition system, motor or starter circuit. Cold weather can also affect car batteries. You can have it recharged in a car repair shop. If you have to bring your battery inside, put it in an area where it cannot be unintentionally bumped into and cause acid leaks and damage.

Examine the cables thoroughly to makes sure that these are connected firmly and are in excellent condition without any defects. Accumulation of rust at the battery terminals may extend to the cables. If this occurs, the conductors will become oxidized and fail to provide the necessary conduction. If you try to twist the cables to re-establish connection, this can cause sparks and cable problems. You will have to replace the terminals or the whole cable as well.

It pays to have an extra terminal in your repair kit in case you cannot find an auto supply or mechanic right away. When you encounter problems in starting the engine or the headlights start to dim while you are on the road, the electrolyte may not be strong enough. The battery has to be recharged or replace before your engine stops in the middle of nowhere and leave you stranded.

Inspect the battery case and terminals as well. If you notice cracks in the battery case or see that the terminals are damaged, replace the battery immediately despite its electrical performance.

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