HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CAR BATTERY AT HOME
Your car's battery is one of the most important components of the vehicle. Batteries are very reliable and last for a long time, but they do have to be maintained properly. Many drivers aren't aware of the things that they can do to ensure that their vehicle's battery is in the best shape possible. This article will lay out several points that's will help you maintain your vehicle's battery properly. Read on to learn more.
Inspect Your Battery For Leaking Acid
Occasionally, a battery will start to leak acid. This doesn't happen too often these days with high quality batteries, but it still does happen on rare occasions. As you no doubt already know, battery acid is very corrosive. If you see that acid is leaking from your car's battery, you should take your vehicle into a service center immediately. We will inspect your vehicle for signs of damage and replace the battery right away. Do not try to touch the battery yourself, as this may be dangerous.
Clean Any Build-up Off Of Your Battery's Terminals
Batteries occasionally have residue buildup on the battery terminals. This does not necessarily mean that there's anything wrong with the battery. This residue is often greenish or blue in color. It is very easy to clean off this residue yourself. All you have to do is mix some water and some baking soda and dip an old toothbrush in the mixture. Then you can scrub off the residue quite easily. Of course, you can always bring your vehicle into our authorized service center and we will clean off your battery for you.
Check Your Battery's Installation date
If you ever find yourself with the hood of your car open, you should take a look at your battery to see what the installation date was. This isn't necessary if you've just gotten a new car or if you know exactly when the battery is installed. However, if you picked up a used vehicle and are not sure how old the battery is, check the install date. Even if with the battery seems to be running fine, it may not have much life left if it was installed three years ago or more. A quick look at the sticker on the battery should tell you exactly when it was installed.
Don't Run The A/C If The Car Isn't Running
It is very important that you do not run the air conditioning in your vehicle if you aren't running the car. Doing so will run down your battery very quickly. In fact, this is one of the quickest ways to kill a battery. If you have a good new battery, the battery will still run down until it is flat. However, it would be able to be jump-started. Of course, you may be waiting for a while before someone gives you a jump. If you have to run the A/C when the car is stopped, turn the engine on so the battery does not get drained.
Getting Better Results From Your Vehicle's Battery
Following the tips in this article will allow you to get better results from your vehicle's battery. The battery will last longer and will power your car more efficiently. Also, there is a much lesser chance that you'll find yourself stranded with a dead battery. If you aren't sure what sort of battery services you may need or how long you can go without a battery replacement, bring your vehicle into our authorized service center. We'll be happy to take a look at your battery and let you know what needs to be completed.