Car Battery
About Car Battery
The Best Batteries for Cars of All Types
Purchasing a new battery for your car, truck, or SUV seems pretty standard. You find the right size and power for your vehicle and take what’s available. In reality, some car batteries perform much better than others, depending on the vehicle and driving conditions.
Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Car Battery
It plays a part in the running of anything powered by electricity in the car, as it offers additional current when the alternator can’t keep up with demand. In turn, the alternator recharges the battery when the engine is running under normal circumstances, which is why you can get many years of life out of a standard lead-acid storage battery.
What Can Go Wrong with Battery ?
If you have your vehicle’s battery and the starter system checked every six months, your battery will last longer. The technician will check the battery’s condition, the connections, the alternator output and the alternator drive belt.
Battery Size
As with any battery you’re replacing, keep it simple and buy a replacement of the same size as the one that’s in the vehicle. Some cars can accept different battery sizes but you’re better off sticking to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Just write down the code and ask for a replacement at the parts store.
How to Change a Battery
Changing a car battery is a simple job if you have the tools you need and the confidence to work on your car. Before you start, you’ll need to get protective eye-wear and gloves as battery acid is corrosive and can leak. You’ll also need to know the PIN codes for your car’s electrical system like the satellite navigation and the music system as these can reset when you remove the battery.
How Long Should a Battery Last?
As we’ve demonstrated, a car battery doesn’t have a set lifespan because the way its treated and maintained has a bearing on its life but as a general rule, a battery will be at its optimum for the first four years of its life. After that, it will degrade gradually.
How to Replace Your Car Battery
If you’ve noticed that your headlights aren’t as bright, or you’ve needed to jump your car recently, it’s a good idea to take your car to an auto parts store to check the battery. A dead car battery is frustrating, but you can replace it in a few simple steps.Detach the Battery Cables
Open your car hood and find the battery. It’s a large box with a black top that has cables connected to it. Depending on the model of your vehicle it may sit near the back or off to the side of the engine. Once you locate the battery,
Take the Battery Out
Once you’ve disconnected both cables and removed them from the battery, you need to remove the battery from the vehicle.
Clean the Battery Tray and Connectors
The battery sits in a battery tray, and you may notice residue within in the tray. It’s a good idea to use baking soda and water or some type of battery-cleaning fluid to clean the battery tray. You may also need to clean the cable connectors on the battery.
Replace the Battery and Secure It
Once you’ve cleaned out the tray and the connectors, it’s time to put the new car battery into the tray. Simply place it in the same way that the old battery sat and secure it with the battery clamp. Use your wrench or ratchet set to secure the clamp over the battery.
Reattach the Cables and Test the Battery
Reattach the positive and negative battery cables as the last step. You can start with the positive battery cable first and then do the negative. A loose battery cable can cause the battery to be ineffective. Once you have the cables secured, close the hood and start your vehicle.
What You Need to Know About Replacing Your Car Battery
You may take it for granted that when you turn the key or press the start button, your vehicle’s engine starts to purr—until the day it doesn’t. When this happens, the first thing to check is the battery. If the battery is dead, the vehicle doesn’t have the charge it needs to start. Fortunately, replacing the battery in a vehicle is simple enough that you can tackle this task on your own.
