Care and Maintenance of Car Batteries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 24, 2012 -- Whether you are in Jackson, MS or Baton Rouge, LA, the last thing you need is a dead car battery. Being stranded can cause a great deal of disruption in our daily lives. And none of us want to spend our hard-earned money on an expensive tow charge. There are simple, seasonal maintenance steps, however, that can be performed to keep your battery running strong.

The first step in regular battery maintenance is to clean the cables. Corrosion can attack the top of the battery and the cables. By using a cup of water, 1 tbsp. baking soda, and a metallic brush, the corrosion can be removed. Make sure to flush with water after cleaning. Corrosion must also be cleaned from around the battery cables and terminals. In order to do this, one must begin by disconnecting the cables, starting with the negative cable. The clamp bolts can be loosened with a gentle twist. If they are stuck, a cable puller can be used. Some batteries have a side post terminal which will require a 5/16 inch box wrench. Once the cables have been removed, the corrosion can be addressed.

Secondly, the electrolyte level needs to be checked. To do this, the covers of the battery cells need to be removed. The electrolyte, which is the acid and water mixture, should be approx ½ inch deep or to the bottom of the fill hole. Distilled water can be used if additional water is needed. It is important not to overfill the cells. Once water has been added, it will need a few hours for the electrolyte to mix before going on to the next step. During this step, the battery should be checked for cracks. Should a crack be found, the battery needs to be replaced.

The electrolyte should be tested. An inexpensive hydrometer can be purchased to help do this procedure. Carefully draw a solution into the tester and record the reading. Perform several tests. If a cell reading is recorded that differs from the others by .05 or more, the battery should be replaced. A reading of 1.265 or higher reflects a fully charged battery. If readings are consistently 1.200 or lower, the battery should be charged.

Should any of the above maintenance tips not work, the car battery may need to be replaced. A battery sales expert can not only help you in choosing the correct replacement battery, but with all your battery needs.

James 'Scooter' Anderson, President
Battery Sales and Service
www.batterysalesandservice.com

Memphis, TN

3641 Knight Arnold Rd • Memphis, TN 38118
Toll Free: 800-910-2476
Local: 901-396-3200
Fax: 901-345-8250
E-Mail: sanderson@batterysalesandservice.com

President: James "Scooter" Anderson
Sales Manager: Tom Daniel

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