Take care of the battery you have

November 5, 2010|By Steven Cole Smith, Automotive Editor

Almost all batteries for cars and trucks are now listed as "maintenance free," meaning that the battery is sealed, and you can't add water to it, as was required in the olden days.

But you still need to keep the top of the battery and the terminals clean. Corrosion can drain a battery quickly. Auto parts stores, and auto departments in "big-box" retailers, sell brushes made especially for cleaning battery terminals and cable ends. Many also sell a spray-on liquid that will protect the battery terminal, and discourage corrosion. A mix of baking soda and a little water will help clean terminals, and a thin coating a petroleum jelly can help prevent corrosion, too.

Make sure the battery is held down tightly, too. Over time, and a lot of rough roads, the fasteners that hold the battery down can come loose. Bouncing around can cause the battery case to crack, which will not only cause it to fail, but it can spill battery acid.

Sun Sentinel Articles