Tips and Tricks for Car Battery Maintenance
The vehicle’s battery offers the electrical charge required to crank the engine. Thus, car battery maintenance is quite important. The two main components of the vehicle’s charging and starting system are the starter and alternator. When you turn on the ignition key, you activate the starter that cranks the engine. If the starter is not working, then the engine will not turn on. Starter problems can be caused by electrical or mechanical problems such as circuit breakage or component failure. On the other hand, the alternator is responsible for recharging the battery when the vehicle is on the move. A faulty alternator can make electrical components to operate erratically and causing the engine to come to sudden grind.
Signs of Battery Problems
The main sign of a dying battery is the inability to hold the charge. This may be due to different factors like a weak alternator. If you experience a flat battery or full drainage, it is likely to indicate a problem with the charging system. You can use an electronic tester to test the battery. In this case, you need to test the battery by reading the voltage.
This will give you the condition of the battery and whether it needs to be replaced. You need to do this check regularly whenever you change the oil or service the vehicle. If you have an old battery, then you are bound to experience these problems. You need to have a look at the battery itself. Battery acid stains and corrosion are signs of a leaking battery.
Replacing the Battery
If the battery is dead, you can get another one from the local battery dealer. Always choose a battery based on the car owner’s manual. Remember that batteries have given amperage that is indicated at on top of the casing. You have the choice of buying either a car maintenance-free battery or the regular lead acid version.
You should note that maintenance-free batteries do not require distilled water top up. Thus, they are a bit expensive. If you want to have trouble-free driving, you need to purchase maintenance-free batteries. If not, you need to regularly check the acid level and top up with distilled water to get maximum operational performance. It is a good idea to have the battery looked at whenever the car experiences servicing problems. This can relieve you of troubles of having a failing battery and additional charges. Moreover, it will give your battery a long life span.
