This report explains how simple car battery care tips can keep an automobile running smoothly, so drivers can have a vehicle that starts reliably every time. The report shows readers how to clean and examine a car battery with store-bought and homemade remedies. It explains how to check a car battery charge and how to remove and replace a bad car battery.

We will also discuss:

How can I make my car battery last longer?
What is the normal life of a car battery?
How often do you need to replace a car battery?
How do you maintain a low maintenance battery?
How do I know when my car needs a new battery?
How long does a maintenance free battery last?

Auto Battery Maintenance Tips

Long, cold winters do a number on your vehicle’s battery. Dirt and rust make it hard for the engine to connect to the battery and crank over. With seasonal battery maintenance suggestions, you can keep your battery in great shape and avoid getting stranded by a car that will not start.

How to Inspect and Clean a Car Battery

Have a look at the battery posts. If they’re coated with dirt or residue, your car may struggle to get your car started. To clean a car battery first, remove the battery terminals with a wrench. Take off the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal.

Pour corrosion removal fluid over the residue and let it soak in for a few minutes. Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to remove residue from the battery posts. Also scrub the surface of the battery, which may become soiled. You might need to work in many rounds employing fresh corrosion removal fluid in between bouts of scrubbing, to completely clean the battery.

A homespun blend of baking soda and H2O will also work to knock loose corrosion, which can be a helpful replacement if you can not get out to purchase corrosion removal fluid because of a dead car battery.

After the battery appears clean, rinse it with H2O.

When you have cleaned the battery, check its charging amounts with a hydrometer, which is available for purchase at the local auto parts store. Hold the hydrometer up into the battery cell and squeeze the bulb on top to get a reading. A satisfactory battery will read between 1.265 in 80 F. If your battery yields a reading of 1.260 or lower, it needs to be replaced.

Note, this last step is not required for maintenance-free car batteries.

How to Replace a Car Battery

When your automobile battery is no longer dependable, it is time to replace it. To accomplish this, remove the battery terminals using your wrench. Begin with the negative terminal, as when cleaning. To pull the battery out, you’ll also have to loosen the hold-down clamp with your wrench. After everything is loose, you can pull the battery out by hand.

Push a replacement battery into position and use the clamp to secure it. Attach the positive battery terminal, and then the negative battery cable terminal. Tighten connections with the wrench. Tighter is better, as your motor may struggle to crank over and start if the battery slides around.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Batteries

Car batteries are utilized to crank and start gasoline or diesel engines which are found in over 1.2 billion automobiles, light trucks, SUVs and trucks worldwide. This FAQ assumes 12-volt, 6-cell, negative grounded, lead-acid vehicle or deep cycle batteries with capacities from 5 Amp Hours (AH) to 250 AH.

How can I make my car battery last longer?

Normally, car batteries last between 2 and 5 years. Among the main factors that affect how long a car battery will last is the weather. A running engine under the hood is currently generating high levels of warmth. Throw in a scorching hot day and you’ve got a serious drain on your vehicle battery, which may result in an increased chance of a dead battery if you don’t take appropriate summer driving precautions.

Irrespective of the temperature you drive your vehicle in, properly looking after your car battery can keep it running. Check out the seven tips below on prolonging the life of your car battery:

limit short rides
keep your battery tightly fastened
turn off all the lights when you exit
control the corrosion
test your battery often
don’t use electronics when idle
care for your car as a whole

What is the normal life of a car battery?

The life expectancy for your vehicle battery is normally around four to six years. Many factors determine how long your battery will survive, such as weather conditions, vehicle type a, d driving habits. There are, however, several important pointers you can use to help increase the life expectancy of your vehicle battery.

How do you maintain a low maintenance battery?

A car battery is what starts the engine and keep running. The electrical energy needed to make the car work is saved in the battery. Most batteries will keep on functioning well for 5 to 7 years. Keeping your vehicle on a regular maintenance and testing program with your mechanic will guarantee your battery operates correctly, and there are things you can do to help. Keep car batteries by checking them and cleaning them on a regular basis, and charging them when needed.

Locate the battery in your car.
Check the battery’s water level every 2 to 3 months, only if it’s a non-maintenance-free wet-cell battery.
Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush every 6 to 8 months.
Coat the battery with grease made for high temperatures. Applying the grease will protect the battery from rust and corrosion.
Inspect cell voltage every time you get an oil change or have your car in for maintenance.
Check the battery insulator, if your car has one.
Take your car into your mechanic or shop for regular servicing and tune-ups.

Conclusion

Touching the car’s battery can feel intimidating, but this is one of the simpler auto care tasks for novices. By inspecting your car’s battery, cleaning buildup and soil, and knowing how to swap out a old battery, you can keep the battery in good health and avoid the cost of unanticipated tow services.

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Car Battery Maintenance Tips and Advice