Car Battery Charger Info

photo credit: Charles WilliamsIt’s worth taking some time to look after your car battery, as it can last a good deal longer and save you the expense of a replacement battery. It will also ensure that the battery doesn’t let you down when you need it most. Car battery maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated or take a long time, and a little effort goes a long way when it comes to maintenance. Don’t forget to wear protective equipment like goggles and gloves when working on the battery. The acid contained in the battery can cause burns. Also remember to avoid smoking or having naked flames or sparks near the battery, as the gas given off by the battery could explode.

Here are some tips on car battery care:

• Check the electrolyte level in the battery. If your battery isn’t the maintenance-free sealed type, there will be removable screw caps on the top of the battery. Unscrew the caps and check that the lead plates inside the battery are covered by the liquid inside. Usually the liquid should be at the level of the bottom of the caps. There is sometimes a level indicator at the bottom of the hole that the cap screws into. The liquid should reach this level indicator. Distilled water is the best type to use for topping up.
• Check the tightness of the bracket which holds the battery in place. The battery could get damaged if the bracket is loose and allows movement.
• Check the tightness of the battery terminals. Loose terminals can cause starting problems.
• If you are doing lots of short trips, it’s unlikely that the battery gets fully charged. Use a car battery charger occasionally to bring the battery up to full charge.
• If your battery terminals look corroded, disconnect them and clean them with a wire brush. Before disconnecting, make sure that the engine isn’t running, and any accessories are switched off. When the connections are re-fitted and tightened, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the connections to keep out moisture.
• Keep the casing of the battery clean by giving it a quick wipe with a dry cloth. Moist or dirty battery casings can allow a small current to pass between terminals and reduce the battery’s charge over time.

Following just these few simple steps can help to keep your car starting properly and running reliably, and save you a great deal of hassle and stress. If you aren’t sure if your battery needs replacing or not, take it to a mechanic and have it load-tested to see if it’s healthy or not.