Keeping your battery clean is a great way to extend its life. Keep the terminals and the battery case clean. Visually inspect the terminals and cables for signs of corrosion at least once a year, especially in hot temperatures. Keep the top of the battery clean of heavy dirt and oil to reduce the risk of electrical transients between the positive and negative posts, which will result in a quicker discharge.
Whenever you're handling or working with a lead-acid battery, consult your vehicle and battery owners' manual for instructions and safety precautions.
Lead-acid batteries contain hydrogen-oxygen gases than can be explosive and sulfuric acid that can cause severe burns. To help avoid risk of danger and injury, observe these precautions when handling or working with a lead-acid battery
The further a battery is discharged, the longer it will take to recharge. Usually, it takes several hours to effectively recharge a battery.
If a battery is almost completely discharged, it can take up to 12 hours or more to recharge. If the battery becomes hot to the touch while recharging, then immediately stop charging. Follow these steps when recharging a battery.
Battery failure can happen for a variety of reasons.
Listed below are a few examples:
Getting the longest battery life can depend on how you balance three factors: the vehicle, the battery and the climate. Fortunately, there's technical information that guides us to make the right battery buying choice.
There are certain common rules to long battery life, such as:
Did you know 50-70% of all warranty-returned batteries are simply discharged? They are still good batteries. Then why do people think they need replacement?
My dad, a long-time shop owner, always told me that battery testing is not rocket science. But, if it is not conducted correctly, it can cost a lot of people time and money. Dad was right! Let's take a look. If your battery's engine won't turn over, but it starts immediately with a jump, it must be the battery, right?
A vehicle's alternator provides electrical power to the vehicle while the engine is on. The alternator also charges a battery during this time. There are a number of factors affecting an alternator's ability to adequately charge a battery. The greatest factors are:
Battery terminals should be cleaned periodically with a mixture of baking soda and water and wire brush if necessary. The terminals should be rinsed with clean water and then can be coated with a commercially available sealant or high temperature grease.
Interstate's automotive and commercial starting and Marine/RV batteries are considered maintenance-free products under normal operating conditions. However, in the event of an extreme overheat/overcharge situation, the batteries may need to be checked for water loss. To check your battery's water level, we recommend the following:
Will you be traveling this Memorial Day? Don't start out on a spring or summer road trip without these important care care tips from automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach.
Your coolant needs to be changed on a regular basis. Don't let your radiator get clogged - you will end up with an engine that can not cool itself causing pricey repairs to your engine and your transmission.
Bumper to Bumper helps a listener who is having alignment issues with their 1964 Ford Ranchero.
