Car battery failures are the number one cause of unexpected breakdowns. Battery failures can occur anywhere and in any season, but the cold temperatures of winter are particularly harsh on car batteries. Here at K & M Auto Service, we have experience dealing with a wide variety of car problems, including battery failures. We provide the best Back To Top has to offer, and we have compiled a few tips for making sure your car battery is in tip-top shape.
Cold weather can decrease the power output of your car battery, and can also affect its ability to hold a charge. In the winter, it generally takes longer for your battery to recharge while you are driving. You are also more inclined to use your lights, windshield wipers, defroster and heating system in the winter months. This can put a heavy burden on your car battery.
Before winter hits, it is a good idea to perform a quick check on your battery. First, look at the age of your battery. If it is more than five years old and you have had trouble starting your car, you should have it replaced. After that you should check to make sure that your battery connections are clean and free of corrosion. If your battery posts are covered in a white, crusty material, clean it off. Even a small amount of corrosive material on your battery posts can interfere with your car’s ability to connect with the battery. To clean your battery posts, you first have to remove the battery cables. Usually you will need a small crescent wrench or pliers to do this. Always remove the negative cable first when you are cleaning your battery posts. Once you are looking at the battery posts and terminals, you can work on removing the corrosion. There are a lot of products out there designed to eliminate corrosion, and they are all basically the same combination of water and baking soda. You can even use Coca-Cola to remove corrosion, but you will have to deal with a sticky mess afterwards. Once you have removed the battery terminals, just apply the solution to the battery posts and use a rag or small brush to scrub off any stubborn materials. Once the posts are clean and all you see is metal, you are clear to put the terminals back on, starting with the positive one. It is important to screw the terminals on tight so that the cables can’t be moved off of the battery posts. If you don’t want to deal with battery problems in the future, you can install anti-corrosive discs. These discs go right on the battery posts, and effectively prevent corrosion build-up. Once the cables are back on securely, your car should start and run like just like new.
Portland Car Repair
At Back To Top, we are equipped to deal with just about any car problem you could imagine. From a simple transmission flush to making extensive repairs, we deliver the best Back To Top has to offer.
